Efforts on to put economy back on track

Finance minister against indulging in blame game


Our Correspondent May 31, 2023
A key proposal is to slap 2% additional customs duty on goods imported at zero duty, including those falling within the free trade agreements. photo: file

LAHORE:

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has emphasised that the government is utilising all its energies to bring the economy back on track and the country should be taken forward without indulging in blame game.

“Everyone is aware of the situation. All segments of society would have to join hands to get ourselves out of this difficult situation,” he said.

Dar spoke on Tuesday at a meeting with office-bearers of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). LCCI President Kashif Anwar presented budget proposals to the minister.

The finance minister announced that the upcoming federal budget would be business-friendly, adding that the IMF programme was taking time but all formalities for the ninth review had been met.

He pointed out that it was being said a couple of months ago that Pakistan was going to default but it was averted. Similarly, he said, the country was facing restrictions in 1999 but those were also tackled. Saying that the LCCI was playing an important role in economic wellbeing, Dar declared that the chamber’s proposals would be made part of the budget document.

Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI president stressed that the government should take measures like trade in local currency and barter trade to mitigate the prevailing foreign exchange crisis.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2023.

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