Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail has assured investors and exporters of resolving their issues on a priority basis to strengthen the national economy and promote business activities in the country, WealthPK reports. During his recent meetings with the representatives of the business community, he hinted at taking concrete steps to support traders and entrepreneurs. One such meeting was held at the Ministry of Finance between the minister and a delegation of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA).

APTMA patron-in-chief Dr Gohar Ejaz, chairman Abdul Rahim Nasir, APTMA chairman for Punjab Hamid Zaman, former chairman Aamir Fayyaz, secretary general Shahid Sattar, senior officers from Federal Board of Revenue, commerce and finance division attended the meeting. The delegation informed the minister about various issues faced by the textile sector, especially those related to sales tax refunds. The minister said on the occasion that it was the top priority of the government to promote the export-oriented sectors of the country.

He directed relevant authorities to resolve the issues of the textile sector at the earliest. The minister also held a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) headed by its chairman Mian Kashif Zia. He told the delegation that the government wanted to promote business activities and support the business community to ensure sustainable growth in the country. He directed relevant officials to resolve the issues of the hosiery and knitwear industry.

The minister also held a meeting with a delegation of the Mardan Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (CSTSI) headed by its president Muhammad Fayyaz Khan. He directed the quarters concerned to resolve the issues of small traders. He held another meeting with a delegation of Markazi Tanzeem-e-Tajaran Pakistan headed by its president Muhammad Kashif Chaudhry.

The minister also held a meeting with a delegation of Chinese power generation companies. He told the delegation, led by CEO of China Hub Coal Power Project Ren Lihu, CEO of Sahiwal Coal Power Project Li Xin and CEO of Port Qasim Power Plant, that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was playing a major role in Pakistan’s development.

He said that the government was determined to support the Chinese companies working on different projects in the country. Miftah Ismail held another meeting with a delegation of the All Pakistan CNG Association headed by Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha. The meeting discussed a proposal to use CNG as fuel for vehicles to reduce the import bill and minimise the emission of carbon.

The minister also held a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association headed by its chairman Qazi Mansoor Dilawar. Miftah Ismail also presided over a meeting on the tax-related issues of the information telecom and telecom sector. He said that the government was providing maximum incentives to the IT and telecom sector.

Ms Pang Chunxue, Charge de Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, also called on the minister. The minister on the occasion highlighted the deep-rooted friendship and brotherly relations between Pakistan and China. The Chinese diplomat said that China is committed to completing the CPEC projects to cement economic cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement, available with WealthPK.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPak