Business

Tackling economic challenges will put country on the right track: Memon

Legislator asks govt to switch to a productive job creation strategy.

Faryal Najeeb March 17, 2011

KARACHI:

If challenges such as law and order, tax reforms, energy shortages, efficient governance and employment generation are tackled, the business climate will improve and take Pakistan in the right direction, according to MNA Marvi Memon.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Memon said that for this to happen, “the government needs to move from the ‘dole-out’ vote strategy to an intelligent ‘productive’ job-creating strategy before it is too late. The implementation of this strategy will raise hopes for millions of unemployed people.”

Memon was a participant in the recently concluded ‘3rd All Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conference’ held in Bhurban, organised by the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). At the conference, the Bhurban Declaration was signed by 31 chambers of commerce and industry of the country.

“I had taken time out for this conference simply because I thought it was an efficient way to get to the collective wisdom of our investors. An understanding of what was hampering business growth would enable me to help shape better policy for my people,” she said, providing an insight as a parliamentarian in an otherwise purely business conference.

Interestingly, how the socio-political climate affects businesses was apparent in the declaration signed this time, as businessmen moved away from issues such as concerns over representation of the business community in the government and budget proposals to concentrate more on law and order, energy sector reforms, privatisation of state-owned enterprises, etcetera.

Furthermore, topics such as water sector reforms were discussed for the first time, while the government was asked to develop an SME policy for women entrepreneurs. The declaration also called for anti-corruption initiatives and firm cross-border policies.

CIPE Project Manager Hammad Siddiqui informed that this year the conference had been far more successful than previous years. He stated that CIPE has played a main role in facilitating the chambers in getting together and its aim was to advocate policies and consequently bring reforms in the economy.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (5)

Fahad Hasan | 13 years ago | Reply I just want to Mr. Meekal when he last time visited Pakistan and what are his stakes in the country? Sitting in US and talking about tax payments or advising economic decisions is easy but we should not allow foreigners to meddle in our affairs.

Irfan Manan Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @Meekal Ahmed: Each and every Citizen of Pakistan is paying the taxes, yes few are the direct registrants while the others are indirectly contributing the substance. Everyone will pay the tax if sure that the amount will be utilized for the purpose it was collected, i think its the matter of mistrust and mismanagement of government. Second important thing is the appropriate policies with match implementation mechanism, we dont have the stable policies, just pass an SRO and law will speak your language. See if Nawaz Sherif is not paying the tax himself but his companies are. We need to have a basic framework of tax regulations.

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shimail daud | 13 years ago | Reply @Meekal Ahmed: I agree with you sir. All govt. officials including judiciary, parliament, civil and army bureaucracy and business community should be registered and pay taxes. That is how it happens in civilized nations. Over there you don't criticize each other but you do your part. But there are some facts the people who ever they are or were who have run the affairs of the govt present or past have not been paying their taxes and due shares that includes the zadas, sharifs, khan zadas, feudal lords, the power brokers of Pakistan. According to 80/20 rule 80% of the present problem is: its the govt that has not paid their liabilities i.e. bills of electricity, fuel, gas. If you or me were not to pay our taxes or bills you think we could have access to electricity / gas. Do you think any business can run without paying their indirect or direct taxes? The fact of the matter is that the govt has been always focused on squeezing the same group of people who register and pay their taxes. Those that go for staying out of the system will get a free chit again be it govt or any other strong groups. I think there is less hope we can become civilized in my life time or yours!

AnIndian | 13 years ago | Reply There are three Ideas for Pakistan's economy: Land Reforms, Land Reforms, Land Reforms.

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply The Business community before criticizing government should put their income tax paid on the inter-net for the past three years. Preferably assets and income tax paid. In more civilize countries, if you want something from government that is what you have to do. Then we will find out that billionaires like Nawaz Sharif paid less or no income tax compared to pensioners like me.

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