Latest news with #NTC
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PYMA slams duty structures, policy ambiguities in federal budget
KARACHI: Muhammad Saqib Goodluck, Chairman of The Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association (PYMA), has risen significant concerns regarding various duty structures and policy ambiguities presented in the Federal Budget 2025–26 that are adversely impacting the textile sector, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In a communication to the government and anomaly committee, the PYMA Chairman urged immediate action to address key concerns hindering transparency, competitiveness, and the long-term sustainability of the domestic textile industry. He noted that the budget does not provide adequate clarity on the policy distinctions between commercial and industrial imports. He emphasized that industrial imports are subject to only a 1% income tax, while commercial imports face a significantly higher rate of 3.5%. Our calculations confirm that the overall duty differential between industrial and commercial imports is approximately 5.5%, including sales tax value addition, a disparity that does not justify the resulting administrative burdens and market distortions. He underscored that prior deliberations had resulted in a shared expectation that equal treatment would be ensured for both sectors. Saqib Goodluck emphasized that Draw Textured Yarn (DTY) of polyester (HS Code: 5402.3300) is already subject to an average anti-dumping duty of 13.84%, imposed on dated 17th June by NTC, 2025. In light of this existing protection for the domestic industry, PYMA considers the continuation or imposition of any additional regulatory duty on DTY to be unjustified. PYMA strongly recommends that the regulatory duty on DTY be reduced to 0%. Regarding customs duties, the PYMA Chairman pointed out the structural imbalance, wherein both raw materials (PFY), grey fabrics are subject to a 10% duty, while bleached or finished articles attract 15%. This cascading duty structure disproportionately impacts core sectors such as knitting, weaving, twisting, and finishing - particularly affecting SMEs. PYMA urged the government to promptly rationalize the duties on all types of fabrics (finished, semi-finished, and grey fabrics currently subject to a 15% duty); to justify the cascading of polyester value chain items. PYMA Vice Chairman, Altaf Haroon also drew attention to the discrepancy in duty rates applied to Partially Oriented Yarn (POY; HS Code: 5402-4600) and Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY; HS Code: 5402-4700). These yarns are not produced domestically and undergo processing similar to that of fibre. While the customs duty on fibre has been reduced from 7% to 5%, PYMA appealed for equal treatment of POY and FDY by aligning their customs duty with that of fibre at 5%, in the interest of fairness and consistency. Saqib Goodluck concluded by stressing that timely resolution of these issues is essential to maintaining a stable, transparent, and globally competitive textile sector. PYMA reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with policymakers to ensure that fiscal and trade policies accurately reflect industry needs and ground realities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
GMA Network
13-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Telecom operators call for review of Konektadong Pinoy Act
The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) urged the administration to closely review the measure before signing the bill and to ensure that its implementing rules establish clear, enforceable guardrails are the ones that promote real digital inclusion, ensure national security, and preserve a fair and future-ready industry. The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, is calling for a review of the Konektadong Pinoy Act that was ratified by both chambers of Congress and awaiting the President's signature. The PCTO said, that while it supports the bill's goal of expanding internet access across the country, it warned that the version passed by the bicameral committee could 'lead to national security vulnerabilities, weaken regulatory oversight, and destabilize the telecommunications sector in the long run.' 'We support providing broader connectivity to all Filipinos. However, the bill lowers the bar for accountability and opens the country to risks tied to unregulated infrastructure and potential foreign control,' said Atty. Froilan Castelo, PCTO president and Globe general counsel. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) — a move that removes key filters historically used to evaluate legal, financial, technical, and cybersecurity readiness. 'This creates a two-tier system. Existing players remain subject to full regulation, while new entrants operate with fewer checks. That's a national security concern and a fairness issue,' said Castelo. The PCTO also raised concern about the law's exemption for satellite direct access services from any form of registration or authorization from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) or the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). This stands in contrast to the law's own principle of technology neutrality under Section 19. 'You cannot claim to be technology-neutral and at the same time give one technology a free pass. The provision requiring satellite services to apply for NTC spectrum use was removed in the final version. That opens a dangerous backdoor,' Castelo said. On cybersecurity, the group flagged that the law allows new players a two-year window to comply with national and international security standards. The PCTO believes this delay is unacceptable in today's environment of escalating cyber threats. Another gap in the law is the absence of any requirement for new players to serve geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), according to the group, adding that 'this could incentivize new entrants to focus only on high-density urban areas, leaving rural communities behind.' The telecom operators also noted the risks of rushing legislation without deeper stakeholder review, citing the POGO law as a cautionary example of well-intended but poorly executed policy. 'We've seen what happens when laws are rushed and under-vetted. We cannot afford another case where gaps in the law create bigger problems down the road,' Castelo said. The PCTO urged the administration to closely review the measure before signing the bill and to ensure that its implementing rules establish clear, enforceable guardrails are the ones that promote real digital inclusion, ensure national security, and preserve a fair and future-ready industry. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT to probe alleged ‘overstaying' 400 Chinese working for DITO
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is launching an investigation into the alleged 400 Chinese working for DITO Telecommunity Corp. without the necessary working visas. DICT spokesperson Assistant Secretary Renato 'Aboy' Paraiso admitted that the agency has 'no visibility on that particular issue' until columnist Ramon Tulfo posted on Facebook his claim that DITO Tel was allegedly employing Chinese nationals who 'have over-extended their tourist visas.' 'Now that we have [knowledge] we will investigate… The DICT-CICC (Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center) will formally do an investigation,' Paraiso said. The post said the 400 allegedly 'overstaying' Chinese might be endangering our national security as they work for a telecom company.' Paraiso said the DICT would reach out to the Bureau of Immigration 'because the first allegation is the over[staying] visas.' '[But] since this is a telco that we are talking about, our attached agency which is the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) would also be an active partner in this investigation,' he said. The DICT official said the investigation, to be led by CICC and NTC, 'would investigate as far as our ICT infrastructure and systems are being used illegally by overstaying foreigners.' GMA News Online reached out to DITO Tel through its Viber media group. In response, the telco's media communications team said, 'discussing internally and we will get back to you.' DITO Tel is 60% owned by DITO CME Holdings Corp., a unit of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy's conglomerate Udenna Group, while the remaining 40% is owned by state-owned China Telecommunications Corp. DITO Tel, dubbed as the 'third telco' or new major player in the country's telecommunications space to disrupt the so-called duopoly of Globe and PLDT-Smart, has grown its subscriber base to 14 million as of end 2024 since its commercial launch in March 2021. –NB, GMA Integrated News
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Trade unions demand reopening of NTC mills in Tamil Nadu without preconditions
Trade unions in Tamil Nadu have demanded reopening of the seven textile mills operated by the National Textile Corporation (NTC) in the State without preconditions. M. Arumugam, AITUC leader, told The Hindu on Tuesday that the NTC management recently sent out letters to individual workers of the NTC asking their suggestions on reopening of the mills that remain closed since March 2020. 'In the history of NTC mills, it is the trade unions that speak on behalf of the workers. Hence, the NTC management should seek the views of the unions and not that of individual workers. So, the trade unions met and decided to reject the letter of the NTC management and wrote to it demanding immediate reopening of the mills without preconditions,' he said. Of the 23 NTC mills in the country that remain shut for the last five years, seven are in Tamil Nadu and these used to employ about 5,000 permanent workers. The NTC paid full wages to the workers till June 2023. The unions also demanded payment of wage arrears along with statutory benefits to the workers. HMS leader TS Rajamani said the union leaders in Coimbatore are trying to meet the Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh to discuss about the NTC mills. 'The NTC has sources for funds. It should reopen the mills and operate them. There is no clarity still on what the Central government plans to do about these mills that remain closed since the COVID pandemic. We have not yet met the new Union Minister. We are trying to meet him with the support of Coimbatore MP,' he said.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bemidji fire chief receives Northwest Technical College's inaugural IMPACT Award
May 2—BEMIDJI — When Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood started his career more than 20 years ago, he considered himself "just a guy who loved the fire service." Since then, his role has blossomed into much more. On Thursday, he returned to the institution that helped kickstart his career to receive Northwest Technical College's inaugural Innovation, Mastery, Progress, Achievement, Community and Technology (IMPACT) Award. "(This award) is presented to a truly remarkable leader in both industries and public service," NTC Executive Vice President Ketmani Kouanchao noted during the program. "(Sherwood) has dedicated his career to advancing fire service technology, transforming challenges into opportunities and inspiring the next generation of first responders and innovators ... His dedication to excellence, leadership and service embodies the very spirit of this award." Sherwood was named fire chief in 2021; at the time, he had 18 years of fire service under his belt. He holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Bemidji State, a fire service technology certificate from NTC, an associate of applied science degree in fire service technology from the College of Western Idaho and is pursuing a master's degree in public safety leadership and administration at Arizona State. He also earned a chief fire officer certification from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Managing Officer Program, and serves as the Region 2 northern representative for the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association. In addition to his accolades, Sherwood is a writer with work published in the Minnesota Fire Chief and Firehouse magazines. Much of his writing focuses on the importance of mental health practices and work-life balance, values that play a huge factor in Sherwood's role as a leader and mentor. "I love the way that Justin's story ties to what we try to do here at NTC of career expertise, the technical, the work that (he has) done and learned in those spaces," BSU and NTC President John Hoffman said, "but also the commitments to mental health and holistic health and life beyond the workplace." During his acceptance speech, Sherwood took a moment to note the stigma surrounding mental health in the fire service. "This job is incredibly hard and I guess I get emotional because we put a lot of time into it," he said. "...Here I am being vulnerable because fire chiefs aren't supposed to be criers, but I'm probably the most emotional fire chief in the country. But I own it." Sherwood recalled the day he was notified that he would receive the award, expressing feelings of gratitude and relief. Looking out into the audience filled with his family, friends and colleagues, he credited his support system for getting him where he is today. "Regardless of the impostor syndrome, it isn't about my individual accomplishments or ... the types of awards I'm getting, but it is truly about those who support me," he said. "So I want to say thanks to my mentors and supporters in this room, my colleagues from the city ... but most importantly, my family. "You guys have really supported me even in those seasons that were really hard. So your love, and, I have to note, extreme patience, is what got me here." In closing, Sherwood thanked NTC for choosing him as the first-ever recipient of the IMPACT award and noted the symbolism of the item, which he plans to display at his office in the fire hall. "(This award) will always serve as a strong reminder for me and a powerful motivation to continue leading with purpose, integrity, motivation and dedication, because all we can do is give our best effort," he said. "When I started this path, (I) wanted to help people, but ultimately be a dreamer and do my best and try to always use my position to advocate for those who couldn't."
