Govt committed to ease of doing business: PM

Imran Khan says economic activities generated by SEZs will increase job opportunities for skilled, unskilled labour

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reiterated that the government was committed to providing ease-of-doing-business to the investors saying the economic activities generated by the special economic zones (SEZs) would increase job opportunities for the skilled and unskilled labour.

The premier made these remarks while chairing the seventh meeting of the Board of Approvals for SEZs in Islamabad. The session was apprised that there were 19 SEZs notified in the country.

The board approved SEZ Zone Enterprise Admission and sale/lease of Plot Regulations 2020 and launching of online SEZ Management Information System. The approval process will be digitalised and streamlined and act as a one-window for the investors and ensure transparency.

The SEZ Board also approved award of status of Sole Enterprise SEZs to Siddiqsons Tin Plate in Balochistan and Service Long March Tyre in Sind SEZs.

The premier underscored the importance of the industrial development for the economic growth and directed the authorities concerned to provide utility services including electricity and gas to the SEZs on priority.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Senator Shibli Faraz, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Mehmood Khan, Sindh and Balochistan chief secretaries, Board of Investment chairman, FBR chairman, planning commission’s deputy chairman, provincial Boards of Investment CEOs, FPCCI president and senior officials including BOI secretary.

Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister and State Bank deputy governor joined the meeting via video link.