Facilitating traders among top priorities: PM

Imran orders early completion of special economic zones in K-P, Punjab

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said facilitating the business community was among the government’s top priorities.
The premier was presiding over a meeting held to review the progress of the special economic zones in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

He ordered that the establishment of the economic zones should be completed on a priority basis and mutual coordination and cooperation among the departments concerned be increased for this purpose.

“Increase in economic activities will not only strengthen the country’s economy, but also create job opportunities for the youth,” he said.
The prime minister was informed that work on Allama Iqbal Industrial City Faisalabad would be completed by the end of this year. The Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park and Bahawalpur Industrial Estate projects will be completed by March next year.

The Rashakai Economic Zone will be completed by June next year.
The premier was told that the establishment of new business zones in various districts of Punjab would create employment opportunities for thousands of young people.

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A proposal to set up cottage business and resident parks to promote small and medium businesses was also presented during the meeting.
The prime minister was briefed that in the first phase, cottage business parks would be established in 10 districts of Punjab to promote small and medium businesses and gradually be extended to other districts as well.

Cottage business and resident parks will promote specific industrial products of various cities and provide business opportunities to women at their homes.

The premier was also given a briefing on establishment of special zones in Punjab for various sectors including a health city.
PM Imran directed Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood to present a report on tax exemption on the import of machinery and equipment used in hospitals.

Power Minister Omar Ayub, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, prime minister’s special assistants Firdous Ashiq Awan and Yousaf Baig Mirza, Board of Investment Chairman Zubair Gilani and Punjab Industries Minister Mian Muhammad Aslam also attended the meeting.