Annual Dinner of Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association was held in a local Hotel of Karachi. On this occasion Mr. Sher Nawaz, Chief Collector of Customs (South), Mr. Fazal Qadir Qalbani, Collector of Customs Port Qasim and Mr. Saqif Saeed, Deputy Collector of Customs (Preventive) were invited as Chief Guest and Guest of Honor.

Mr. Mohammad Manzoor Hussain, the Senior Vice Chairman presented his views in his welcome address. Giving a brief introduction of Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association, he said that it is a well established and very old Trade Association having come into existence on 4th September 1968. There are more than 100 members including multi national companies, such as Unilever Pakistan Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., Colgate Palmolive (Pakistan) Ltd., Nimir Industrial Chemicals Ltd., and other big and small national companies engaged in soap manufacturing and contributing Rs. 15 - 20 billion to national exchequer.

He states some custom related grievances and few tariff problems in brief. He indicated a basic raw material of Soap Industry Palm Acid Oil, whose price is not appearing in Public Ledger. The Model Customs Collectorate assessing its value at US$ 410, while the prices of all palm bye products and other raw materials used in soap industry are continuously declining in international market and Palm Acid Oil is easily available in international market at US$ 360 PMT. He requested to revise the value of Palm Acid Oil at US$ 360 PMT. He expressed hope that Honorable Chief Guest will understand the recent problem of our members and redress their grievances.

He pointed out that the custom duties of few basic raw materials are highly illogical and unjustified, such as duty of Residue of Fatty Substances HS Code 1522.0000 is 20% and duty on Mixture of Fatty Acid HS Code 3823.1990 is 15%. Both raw materials are used for manufacturing low grade of Laundry Soap for poor classes. The duties of these raw materials must be brought down to 10%. We realize that all our problems do not fall under the preview of Customs, but the Chief Guest can influence the policy makers for smooth sailing of Soap Industry, which is in the larger interest of Economy as well as people of Pakistan. He said if the local industry flourishes, it motivates the foreign investors to come and invest in Pakistan, if local industry is in doldrums how can they take risk of putting more industries.

Mr. Saqif Saeed, Deputy Collector of Customs (Preventive) said in his address that flourishing of local industry is our first preference. I think all bulk consignments of your members are releasing smoothly from our Collectorate, Oil Section Keamari, if any member of your Association faces problem, he may contact me. I promise to resolve your grievances at priority.

Mr. Fazal Qadir Qalbani, Collector of Customs Port Qasim said in his address that all bulk consignments of your members are releasing without hindrance, if you face any custom related problem, you may contact me directly. You may get my contact numbers and may approach to me without appointment.

The Honorable Chief Guest Sher Nawaz, Chief Collector of Customs (South) presented his viewpoint at the event. First of all he thanked the Chairman and members of Pakistan Soap Manufacturers' Association and said I am very much pleased to know that soap manufacturers are contributing Rs. 15 - 20 billion to national exchequer. The Honorable Chief Guest congratulated for contributing such a big amount to government treasury. He further appreciated the struggle of local soap industry inspite of limited opportunities provided to such important industry.

Stating problems faced by soap manufacturers in Model Custom Collectorate and Valuation department, he promised to contact both Collectorates in order to remove all hindrances faced by soap manufacturers. He further expressed hope that Soap Industry shall do better business and in this way this industry will be more strengthen.