Construction sector, SMEs growth top priority: PM

Imran promises continued efforts to facilitate business community

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday He said that the development of the construction sector and the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would not only boost economic activities in the country but also create job opportunities for the youth.

Expressing satisfaction over the full confidence of the business community in the government, Imran said that the development of these two sectors was his top priority and reiterated his commitment that the government would make every effort to facilitate the business community.

Chairing a flurry of meetings on the various sectors of the economy, the prime minister also called for paying special attention to the improvement of mobile and internet services network in remote and backward areas of the country.

In a review meeting on the activities initiated in the construction sector as a result of government incentive package and the initiation of various housing projects, the prime minister assured that the government would continue to make efforts to facilitate the business community.

The meeting was informed that the regional economies suffered because of the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to the government strategy, Pakistan’s losses were curtailed and the economic activities had resumed after decline in the number of cases.

The meeting was also informed that the country’s economic indicators had improved because of the government policies. On the occasion, Arif Habib briefed the Prime Minister on the improvement in the fertilizers, steel sector, real estate and other sectors in the month of July.

Habib, representing the business community, especially the companies and investors in the construction sector, thanked the prime minister for his personal interest in the government’s concessional package, facilitation and simplification of the online system.

He said that the business community has been encouraged by the government’s historic incentives and facilitation in the construction sector. He added that for the first time in the history of the country, the construction sector was being encouraged by private banks.

While chairing another meeting on the spectrum auction to further improve mobile and internet services in the country, the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the interest shown by various companies in acquiring more spectrum.

The prime minister was briefed on the request for more spectrum from various mobile operators for further improvement of the network and the progress made so far. Imran directed that the process of spectrum auction must be completed in a very transparent manner and on priority basis.

BRT inauguration today

Prime Minister Imran Khan will leave for Peshawar on Thursday (today), where he will inaugurate the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. Imran will also hold meetings with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan, Governor Shah Farman and members of the provincial cabinet.