“Level playing field should be provided to the local entrepreneurs by allowing them same incentives and concessions as allowed to their Chinese counter-parts. All raw materials, spares, accessories etc, and finished products, plant and machinery, not produced locally, be only allowed to import under concessionary regime of CPEC as well as integrate in the domestic industry as a supply chain for CPEC. Like other Export Processing Zones (EPZ), only 18% of the production be allowed to export to Pakistan from CPEC Free Zone”. This was stated by Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir, Senior Vice President and Chairman of the Budget Advisory Council of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) in the proposals prepared under his guidance for incorporation in the forthcoming Federal Budget 2018-19.

The FPCCI SVP said that beside security arrangements and infrastructural development where a number of initiatives are being taken by the government, special attention should also be given to the development of a smooth e-based customs operation to check menace of smuggling and ensure success of CPEC. For this purpose, Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir, inter-alia, also proposed that, scanners be installed at Pak-China borders and Gawadar & Karachi ports and scanning images be exchanged / verified; the access of filing of entry by Chinese traders in WeBOC system of China be allowed to Pakistan to mark green container cleared in WeBOC otherwise the entry would be remained open till its verification; establishment of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) linkage between both the countries on Real Time Basis to ensure reconciliation of trade data of cargo routed through CPEC route.