F. No. 2(26)/09-D(S&P)NTC

National Tariff Commission

Ministry of Commerce

Government of Pakistan

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PRESS RELEASE

Subject:-          Tariff Protection to Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA)

           The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) in its decision in case No.       ECC-55/06/2013 dated March 06, 2013 directed the National Tariff Commission (NTC) to carry out a fresh study on the tariff protection to indigenous industry manufacturing Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and place its recommendations before the ECC for a decision.

 2          Accordingly NTC asked all the known stakeholders to furnish essential data / information on NTC Form – I for analysis. In response Lotte Chemical  Pakistan Ltd., Ibrahim Fibres Ltd., ICI Pakistan Ltd., Astro Plactics (Pvt.) Ltd., Novatex Ltd. have furnished their views. The responses are summarized as under;

             i)                    Lotte Chemical Pakistan Ltd. has requested to increase the duty rate on PTA to 5%;

ii)                  Ibrahim Fibres Ltd. has requested for the reduction of the duty on PTA to zero %;

iii)                ICI Pakistan Ltd. requested to keep the duty on PTA unchanged;

iv)                Astro Plastics (Pvt.) Ltd stated that tariff structure on PTA be kept unchanged and tariff structure on PET Resin supply chain should be rationalized including withdrawal of concessionary duty on  BOPET film; and

v)                  Novatex Ltd. is of view that any effect of change in PTA duty as a result of investigation be given to bottle value chain and film value chain. 

3          In terms of Public Notice NTC has scheduled a public hearing on the issue to be held on Monday, 20^th May 2013 at 11.00 a.m. in the Committee Room of National Tariff Commission, 11^th Floor, State Life Building No. 5, Blue Area, Islamabad. 

4          Accordingly, the National Tariff Commission invites views / comments from all parties having an interest in the business relating to or associated with the imports, manufacturing and marketing of PTA and down stream products. The views / suggestions may be sent within fifteen days of publication of this press release in the newspapers, to the Secretary, National Tariff Commission, 4^th Floor, State Life Building No. 5, Blue Area, Islamabad. 

5          All interested parties, who wish to appear in the hearing are hereby advised to get themselves registered with the Commission latest by May 17, 2013 for participation in the   Public Hearing. Names of participants, their telephone numbers (Cell/LL) and fax numbers may be faxed to Muhammad Sarfraz Nawaz Khan, Assistant Director (Inv. – I) Fax No. 051-9221205. For any further inquiry please contact 051-9205173. All interested parties may bring along additional information, if desired, supported by reliable documentary evidence. The views/ comments not substantiated with reliable evidence(s) shall not be considered.

(Muhammad Shahid)

Secretary