Incentives for expatriates demanded

PESHAWAR: The Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the government to give incentives to expatriates to increase remittances.

“Expatriates are sending billions of dollars remittances back home. They can play an important role in the economic stability of the country,” Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, Director Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told The News.

“The expatriates are an asset to the country and should be provided more facilities and incentives,” he said.

Sarhadi maintained that increase in the remittances was a good sign, adding using these amounts in the production sector could help develop the economy on a fast track.

The foreign remittances could easily exceed $40 billion dollars mark if the government announced a special incentive package for expatriates, he added.

Sarhadi said the government should persuade the expatriates to invest in energy, telecommunication, information technology, agriculture and other sectors.

“The expatriates are interested in investing in various sectors but could not do so due to a host of issues,” said the former vice-president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.