Govt may reduce taxes to bring investment

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has revealed that the government is mulling to launch a policy to encourage people for bringing their capital back to the country and invest in productive sectors of economy.

AA proposal for reduction of taxes is also under consideration in order to facilitate documentation of economy and broadening of the tax base,@ the prime minister said while talking to a delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) headed by its president Ghazanfar Bilour here at the Prime Minister Office (PMO) on Thursday. Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile Muhammad Pervez Malik was also present during the meeting.

Issues relating to various sectors of the economy, ease of doing business, enhancement of country=s export, input costs and taxation issues were discussed during the meeting. The delegation appreciated the steps taken by the present government, especially addressing law and order, the energy crisis and taking the business community and other stakeholders onboard in putting in place a business-friendly environment in the country. Highlighting certain issues faced by the business community, the delegation members presented various proposals aimed at further facilitation of the business community, reducing input costs and taking other necessary measures for boosting confidence of the business community and capitalising trade potential of the country especially enhancement of trade with international trade partners and organisations.

The prime minister welcomed the delegation and congratulated the newly elected office-bearers of the FPCCI. Recounting various measures that have been taken by the government for facilitation of the business community, the prime minister said that the government was actively working on improving ease of doing business in the country. He said a proposal for reduction of taxes was under consideration in order to facilitate documentation of economy and broadening of the tax base.

Prime Minister Abbasi said private sector should play a leading role towards enhancement of country=s exports. He said the government would welcome the proposals from the private sector and would continue to facilitate the business community in every possible manner.

Another meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCE) chaired by Prime Minister Abbasi reviewed in detail the report on validation of energy and demand forecasting as prepared by NTDC and evaluated by an international consultant engaged through the World Bank.

According to the report, Pakistan will overcome power shortage from 2017 onwards up to year 2030. The prime minister stated that although remarkable progress has been achieved in power sector during the last three years, there was a need to constantly monitor demand and supply situation keeping in view the anticipated high GDP growth scenario in the coming years.

Meanwhile, inaugurating Digi Skills Programme here, Prime Minister Abbasi assured that the programme would equip the youth to get online jobs and earn money through a non-traditional way.

The premier inaugurated the programme aimed at training one million youth through online modules here at the Prime Minister Office.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunications Anusha Rehman said that the Digi Skills is an important programme of IT. She said the programme will create online employment opportunities to enable youth to earn 200 to 300 dollars per month. She said with the help of this programme youth from across the country will be providing their services to the entire world.

The prime minister said that Digi Skills programme will equip the youth to get online jobs and earn money through a non-traditional way. He said that he has full faith in the youth of the country and expressed confidence that the girls especially will lead in the e-commerce and digital skills.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the world is changing fast today due to revolution in information technology. He said the government’s responsibility is to fully facilitate the private sector to take the initiative and lead the way. He said the government on its part is committed to ensure availability of broadband in every inch of the country and facilitate e-commerce.

Anusha Rehman Ahmad Khan said that one million youth of Pakistan could get benefit from the programme. She said PML-N had a manifesto to bring technology into use for creating employment opportunities in the country and now the dream is getting materialised.