Sanaullah urged the business community to help the government improve the tax-to-GDP ratio.PHOTO: INP/ FILE
He said Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio was one of the lowest in the world. He urged the business community to help the government improve the ratio.
He said the government was aware of the shortcomings of the federal budget 2013-14. He said that the government would overcome these shortcomings would be removed over time.
He assured the businessmen that the government would support the business community at every step.
The minister said that a campaign had been launched to curb electricity and gas theft.
He said terrorism had become a complicated problem and the government was ready to initiate a dialogue with militants.
Speaking on the occasion, MNA Akram Ansari pledged support for businesses. He said that resolving the energy crisis was the top-most priority of the government.
MNA Rana Afzal said that “trade economies” were the most successful economies and the problems highlighted by the FCCI had a special place on the agenda of the government.
Earlier in his welcome address, FCCI President Zahid Aslam said that Faisalabad was Pakistan’s textile capital.
He said that the main problem faced by Faisalabad’s industries was severe load shedding.
He also complained about the unavailability of gas. He said the severe energy crisis had reduced industrial production to less than 50percent of its capacity.
He said if the government paid off the so-called circular debt in 60 days as promised, it would be a great achievement.
He said that water shortage was an alarming new problem. He said new dams should be constructed to produce cheap hydel electricity.
He also suggested a high court bench in the city and international flights at the Faisalabad airport.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2013.
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@It Is (still) Economy Stupid: MFN is a technical issue, and unless India doesn't remove unnecessary tariffs in place, bilateral trade can not thrive. I remember Indian consulate general chairing an interactive session about IND-PAK trade. He was constantly stressing on the Need of collaboration in IT.When I asked him that as IT sector hardly reaches 1% in the trade mix of Pakistan, how India would be able to forge strategic trade partnership. He had no convincing answer. I guess both countries need to identify and workout the sectors first. Else even after MFN, Indo-Pak trade will merely be confined to potatos and tomatoes.
MNA Rana Afzal said that “trade economies” were the most successful economies.
If that is the case why not announce MFN to India and start trading with India. Leaders of most trading economies travel to India to save or generate jobs in their countries through trade with India and other economies with high growth rate. India invested 11 Billion in US and created 11000 jobs. This slogan is empty promise because Big Daddy said to go slow with India and it refers to all trade economies except India. Trip to China was nothing but sell out of Pakistan as all the development projects announced will generate jobs and prosperity for Chinese people not Pakistani people. If want to trade and solve energy crisis go to US and Canada to import fracturing technology and also convert all power plant to natural gas from Sui.