EDB Allows Eight New Entrants To Set Up Vehicle Assembly Plants

Engineering Development Board has approved the applications of eight new entrants to set up vehicle assembly plants in Pakistan for passenger and commercial vehicles.

This was stated by an EDB official in a hearing held by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to get the perspectives of all stakeholders on pertinent issues in the Automobile Sector in Pakistan.

The official stated that the entry of new players in the market would result in a considerable foreign direct investment in the country creating more jobs.

The EDB was providing full support to strengthen the engineering base in Pakistan by creating a level playing field for all manufacturers, he further said.

ALSO READ

Master Motors is One Step Closer to Bringing Changan Cars in Pakistan

CCP Chairperson Vadiyya Khalil said that the automobile sector plays a crucial role in generating economic activity in the country, providing employment to a large number of people, and contributing to the national kitty through taxes and other relevant duties and charges. However, she said the CCP continues to receive concerns and complaints regarding the pricing of locally made cars, safety features, technological issues, delivery of vehicles, payment of premiums, and progress on the localization of auto industry and deletion programs.

The open hearing, she said, has been organized to discuss those and other relevant issues so that CCP can take necessary measures under its mandate to help resolve these issues.

The consumers complained of long delays in the delivery of vehicles after bookings, premiums charged by dealers, increasing prices of cars, and lack of safety features in the locally made cars.

ALSO READ

United Auto’s Bravo Hatchback Will Compete Directly Against Suzuki Mehran

The CEO of Indus Motor Company Ali Asghar Jamali said that his company had recently invested in increasing its manufacturing capacity to cope with the increasing demand. He said that the issue of premium was equally disturbing for his company and they will support all initiatives to curb the practice.

The representatives of used car importers suggested allowing the import of new cars on a commercial basis, as opposed to the current practice of transfer of residence and gift schemes so that people have more options of choosing cars.

An official of Excise and Taxation Islamabad said that his department will support any policy measure to curb the practice of charging premiums by dealers.

The official of FBR said that matters relating to import duties on vehicles have been decided by the Ministry of Commerce and not the FBR.

The official of Ministry of Commerce said that they were soliciting proposals from various stakeholders on the forthcoming budget including those in the automobile sector and asked the attendees to send their proposals to the Ministry.

The CCP’s bench, comprising the Chairperson Vadiyya Khalil, and Members Dr. Shehzad Ansar and Dr. Muhammad Saleem, conducted the open hearing that was attended by the representatives of Federal Board of Revenue, Ministry of Commerce, Engineering Development Board (EDB), Excise and Taxation, representatives of auto manufacturers including Indus Motor Company Limited, Pak Suzuki, Pakistan Automobiles Manufacturers Association (PAMA), Pakistan Automobile Assemblers Dealers Association (PAMADA), Pakistan Association Of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), online platforms, car importers, and consumers in large number.