Enhancing economic activity a priority: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that the government was taking steps on a priority basis to enhance economic activity in the country while focusing on increasing investments in the export industry in order to create employment opportunities.

Chairing a review meeting of the ‘Prime Minsiter’s Priority Sectors’, Prime Minister Imran received a detailed briefing on the progress of Phase II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“All government institutions are working together to provide a conducive environment for investors,” Imran said. He added that the government was taking steps to speed up work on the CPEC Phase II.

The meeting was informed that work on gas and electricity supply to Rashakai, Dhabeji, Allama Iqbal and Bostan Special Economic Zones (SEZs) was in full swing. Electricity and gas were mainly available for the construction of industries, while the rest of the required electricity and gas would be supplied with further development of industries, the meeting heard.

In this regard, ‘Plug and Play Model’ had been proposed by the CPEC Authority, which was being worked on. Under the model, all the requirements of the investors would be met through one-window operation to ensure speedy construction of industries in these areas, the prime minister was informed.

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At the same time, the Board of Investment (BOI) was working on a portal to provide investors with information related to the construction of industries, approvals from various institutions and other ancillary information, which would be launched soon.

The meeting was also informed that a comprehensive system had been launched to review the progress of projects under CPEC and to expedite the development work. In addition, steps were being taken to increase investment in SEZs by identifying export industries.

In the agriculture sector, not only work on corporate farming was in full swing, but also agreements were being made to increase the exports of the sector. The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to complete all the steps related to CPEC Phase II within the stipulated time.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Asad Umar, Hammad Azhar, advisers Shaukat Tarin, Moeed Yousuf, Special Assistant Dr Shahbaz Gill, Chairman CPEC Authority Khalid Mansoor, Chairman Board of Investment Azfar Ahsan and relevant senior officers.