PM for timely incentivising freelancers, IT firms

Says govt facilitating sectors having immense potential to support economy

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the authorities concerned to ensure the provision of incentives and facilities announced by the government for freelancers and information technology industry within the set time frame.

Chairing a meeting on Friday to review the incentives being provided to the IT industry, the premier underlined that the government was extending maximum facilitation to the sectors having immense potential to support the national economy.

Mentioning the historic package announced by the government for promoting the IT sector, he pointed out that widespread reforms had been introduced to facilitate the business community.

He was of the view that facilitation of skilled freelancers would lead to increase in remittances, as promotion of IT exports was among the priorities of the government.

During the meeting, the participants were apprised of the implementation status of the incentive package for startups and IT companies.

The government’s recently announced industries and IT package was being implemented at a fast pace and an increase in the number of freelancers had been witnessed following the measures, it was told.

The meeting was informed that one-step registration of freelancers through the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) portal had been ensured, which would automatically register them with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Moreover, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) was taking steps to ensure the transfer of freelancing income from abroad through banking channels.

Besides, a mechanism will be established soon so that IT companies could benefit from tax exemptions.

It was revealed that an awareness programme to ensure the provision of announced facilities through commercial banks would also be initiated.

Federal ministers Asad Umar, Hammad Azhar, Special Technology Zones Authority Chairman Amer Hashmi and other senior officers attended the meeting. SBP Governor Reza Baqir also joined the meeting through video link.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2022.

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