Business

Punjab govt vows to facilitate businessmen

Punjab chief secretary says business-friendly environment top priority of province

APP January 30, 2022

The government had made an attempt to regulate the real estate sector by treating its income as normal business income. However, the proposal was shelved. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE:

Ensuring a business-friendly environment is the top priority of the Punjab government and business community will not face any trouble in accessing any institution of the provincial administration, announced Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Saturday, he said that the government was not giving priority to one sector over another and all segments of the economy were equally important.

"The vision of the current leadership is to create facilities for the business community," he said. "The government welcomes all businessmen who invest in Pakistan, create jobs and contribute to the betterment of the economy."

Stressing that traders played a vital role in the development of any country, Afzal stated that it was the duty of the government to provide business-friendly environment to improve the economy in a bid to accelerate growth, boost industrialisation and generate employment opportunities.

"Due to Covid-19, Pakistan faced many difficulties in the last two years," he pointed out. "The laws, which the business community considers a burden, are for its own betterment as well as for boosting the economy."

Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Mian Nauman Kabir said that the chamber wanted to establish a joint high-powered committee for the development of Lahore, comprising four representatives of the private sector and officials of the home, health, finance, environment, excise and taxation departments.

He stated that the Model Bazaar project, being developed with the assistance of Lahore commissioner, was progressing at a modest pace.

He also underlined the urgent need for establishing new parking plazas in Lahore. "In this regard, we are ready to work with the government of Punjab under the public-private partnership mode."

LCCI Senior Vice President Mian Rehman Aziz Chan and Vice President Haris Ateeq demanded the setting up of help desks of waste management and environment departments at the Lahore Chamber.

They urged the chief secretary to instruct the officials concerned to coordinate with the LCCI in that matter.

Separately, the chief minister has announced the setting up of a help desk of the Board of Revenue at the Lahore Chamber to facilitate documentation and other matters related to the land record of business community.

They also demanded the LCCI's representation in provincial boards and district administration committees.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2022.

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