Growth linked to private sector progress

LAHORE:Provincial Minister for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said the Punjab government is determined to make Pakistan a developed country by enhancing the growth rate through improving the security and energy conditions for creating conducive environment for the private sector by integrating more departments in the portal.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB)’s developed online Business Registration Portal at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries Wednesday, she said the economic growth depends on the progress of private sector, which provided employment and better delivery of services to the people.

Meanwhile, consultations have been initiated with the private sector for the upcoming budget. Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha said the portal is developed for the Punjab Planning and Development Department in collaboration with industries department to provide online solution to execute all business processes in a user-friendly environment and to improve productivity to conduct business registration activities efficiently and in a timely manner. Almost 97 percent of taxes in the province of Punjab are being received through e-payment.

Provincial Minister IC&T Sheikh Allauddin said the Punjab government has always tried to provide better and protected environment for trader community and inauguration of E-Business Registration portal will benefit investors. He said the new industrial policy is in the final stage and would be announced soon. He said the portal will facilitate to register partnership firm with industries, shops and establishments with labour and any business with Punjab Employee Social Security Institution (PESSI). The Chairman PITB Dr Umar Saif said all major functions of the Punjab have been digitalised during the last five years, which include police, health, education, stamping, e-ticketing, subsidies on various services, transfer of property, providing various services through e-Khidmat Centres under one roof within stipulated time frame, vehicle registration, providing Fard, support in case of loss of crops, floods as the Punjab government has renewed focus on improving business environment enabling energy deficit to disappear by automating all departments.