ISLAMABAD: National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Commerce on Wednesday expressed its concerns over the delay of exports shipments at ports, which were badly affecting the national economy by reducing the exports of the country. The committee that met with Siraj Muhammad Khan in the chair, directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Customs’ officials to submit a detail report on shipments laying at ports. The committee also directed the relevant officials of FBR and Pakistan Customs to submit a report on import and exports shipments laying at ports since 2013 and imports, exports shipments released and remaining from 2013-16. The committee chairman also expressed his displeasure over the absence of custom officials in the meeting and asked for ensuring their presence in next meeting with a detail report on the subject. The meeting also directed the Ministry of Commerce to take appropriate steps for enhancing exports of the country to bring down the current account deficit. The meeting also asked for trade liberalization, which they said was the key for enhancing the exports and fetching the foreign exchange for the development of the country. They said that delaying tactics of exports were not only affecting the exports but was also harming the national economy besides reducing the exports of the country. Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan briefed the meeting about the Marine Insurance Bill, 2016 and said earlier such law was not available in the country. He said that introduction of the bill would strengthen the legal and regulatory framework and would also bridge the gap of the absence of law. The minister informed that all the provincial governments were consulted on the bill and they showed full consent and played their due role in resolving the complexities. The minister also apprised the committee that the new board of Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) had been formed and new chairman was also appointed, who was also directed to resolve the issues of tobacco growers. Dastgir informed the committee that he had also directed the PTC chairman to submit the report on the issue within two weeks, which would also be shared with the committee. He informed the committee that Swat Expo would be held on November 3, adding that invitations of the event have been distributed. The expo was expected to attract a large number of people across the country. Members of National Assembly (MNAs) Chaudhry Muhammad Shahbaz Babar, Zeb Jaffar, Fouzia Hameed and senior officials of Ministry of Commerce and FBR attended the meeting.