Recommendations: Quetta Chamber demands 10-year mineral policy

Asks centre to utilise subsidy on shifting tube wells to solar power

QUETTA: The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) has presented proposals for provincial and federal budgets with various demands.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, QCCI President Jamal Tarakai and other members said the government should utilise the subsidy to shift tube wells to solar energy, which would save about 700 megawatts of electricity and also benefit the growers.

Tarakai demanded that the chief minister should withdraw the decision of taking extra royalty on 42 minerals of Balochistan, adding no notification had been issued in this regard, which was creating concern among people linked with the fields.

He called for announcing a 10-year mineral policy for Balochistan and emphasised the need for value addition, public-private partnership and a mining survey.

He was of the view that thermal power stations should be constructed in the province along with development of a halal meat market and focus on livestock.

The QCCI president said the State Bank of Pakistan had declared Balochistan as a red zone, but no trader or industrialist had been provided loans since 2005 and in lieu of loans, their property was being sought as guarantee, which was leading to the destruction of the industrial zone.

He said due to unavailability of manufacturing and other facilities in the province, trading business was on the rise. People linked with the trade receive only 0.5 to 2% profit but the government has imposed 4.5% tax on them.

He also sought a 30-year tax subsidy for Balochistan and said 50% local and 50% imported coal should be used in cement factories.

He said he had presented the demands because the chamber of commerce was a bridge between the government and the people linked with trade.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2016.

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