Govt reviews EFS changes to cut exporters’ compliance costs

The government is considering revisions to the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) that would reduce exporters’ administrative burdens while preserving safeguards on revenue, Mettis Global reported on November 12. The proposals were examined by a committee led by Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, with officials from the Ministry of Commerce and FBR, trade associations and exporters participating.

Options under discussion include clearer exporter categories, revised authorisation durations and broader eligibility for new and established businesses. The committee also considered easing security procedures for compliant participants, alongside protections against misuse, and Kayani called for consistent application of eligibility rules without exemptions. The proposed changes are intended to link concessions to actual export performance, encourage local value addition and investment, and make the scheme better suited to exporters’ operating requirements; consultations with business groups are to continue.