Sector Expert - Cement

The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) is a 39-months (2021 – 2025) programme funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and is implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI). The programme provides technical assistance (TA) to Pakistan with a broader objective to implement reforms for strengthening macroeconomic stability and improving conditions for high and sustained growth, mutual prosperity, job creation and poverty reduction. The Programme works towards supporting the Government of Pakistan, its relevant ministries, institutions, and departments to strengthen revenue mobilisation reforms/initiatives, address investment environment challenges, facilitate trade and drive competitiveness by reducing trade barriers, and improve the macroeconomic policy and its management.

To optimise FBR’s operational effectiveness, REMIT has recognised sector studies as an essential tool to understand and map the business processes and market dynamics of key sectors, with the ultimate goal of enhancing tax revenues. These reports will deliver an in-depth review of business processes, encapsulating supply chain dynamics, production processes, and the post-production scenario of each specific sector.

By delving deeply into the nuances of each sector, these notes will review the essential business processes, discern the market dynamics, and highlight sector-specific peculiarities. Designed as an essential tool, they aim to simplify tax law applications, significantly reduce the orientation period for FBR officials newly assigned to a sector, and fundamentally elevate FBR’s ability in both tax policy formation and revenue collection.

The initiative aims to create comprehensive sector notes of identified sectors. By providing detailed information on identified sectors, the notes will improve outcomes for FBR and taxpayers, ensure effective enforcement of tax laws, and enhance revenues.

Job Summary

This assignment aims to produce detailed sector notes for the cement sector (identified in consultation with FBR). The sector notes will thoroughly examine business processes, market dynamics, and the unique characteristics inherent to cement sector. These notes will serve as a pivotal reference for current and future FBR staff, streamlining the implementation of tax laws, minimising the learning curve for officials new to a sector, and ultimately bolstering FBR’s efficiency in tax collection and policy formulation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research into the Cement sector, understanding its supply chain, production processes, and post-production scenarios. The sectoral study include manufacturing processes commercial practices and asset/ liability typologies of cement sector useful both for income tax and Sales tax/FED. It is also aims to discover the prevailing technology, input output ratio, selling/ warehousing typologies and various financial ratios in comparison with best and worst performers based on historic data.
• Identify specific nuances and peculiarities related to the Cement sector which affect its sales tax implications.
• Gather information on the effectiveness of current sales tax policies applied to the Cement sector and international best practices.
• Engage with key stakeholders in the Cement sector to gain insights into their business processes and challenges related to sales tax.
• Organise and conduct workshops to disseminate findings and educate FBR officials.
• Develop a comprehensive sector note on the Cement sector, detailing its market dynamics, business processes, , taxation regime, possible areas for evasion/avoidance, and recommendations to ensure optimum compliance with tax laws particular Sales Tax and FED.
• Provide actionable insights that FBR can readily implement.
• Set up a system for regular feedback from FBR officials and the Cement sector to refine and improve the sector notes (if required).

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or material sciences with a focus on finance/economics, Business Administration, Accountany, Taxation or related fields; Master’s degree or higher qualifications in the subject fields will be preferred.
• An individual having 5 years work experience in the cement factory or an individual having 5 years work experience in a consultancy firm providing consultancy to the cement sector.
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• Expert level understanding of financial statements, cost structures, supply chain and revenue models of cement sector is imperative.
• Understanding of the regulatory environment of the cement sector in Pakistan, including knowledge of government policies and taxation is vital.
• Proven track record of conducting research and producing high-quality reports.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in conducting workshops and training sessions.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interact with diverse stakeholders.

Reporting

The “Sector Expert - Cement” will report to the REMIT Team Lead and REMT Investment Climate Lead.

Level of Effort (LOE)

The level of effort for this assignment is around 25 days.