In order to attract more investment into the country, the government will need to initiate and offer the right kind of incentives on top of matching them with a reasonable taxation regime, Mark MacGann, Group Chief External Affairs Officer at Veon Group (formerly VimpelCom Ltd) told reporters in a press conference.
While answering a query about the possibility of Jazz’s participation into (remaining) 4G spectrum auction next month, MacGann said they were exploring different options and would reach a decision keeping in light the right appetite of the market. “We would like right kind of investment opportunities,” McGann said.
Mcgann acknowledged that they had made mistakes in the past and now they have decided to come up with a new strategy and a greater focus on data services to exploit the real potential of growing market. The quality of services will be the real determinant of Jazz’s success and restructuring has been undertaken to tap the global markets.
MacGann argued that major technological developments had brought a key change in the business models of telecom companies. By focusing on providing more quality in value-added services can help the company claim their due share in the global market he stated while also adding the value-added services could help make Pakistan a real digital country.
Veon official also stressed on the need of Pakistan to offer a competitive environment but also facilitating policies for the promotion of these investments. Pakistan needs to abandon short-term measures and should aim at introducing long-term plans/policies for boosting investments especially from overseas he observed.
While responding to another query, he answered that excessive taxation on equipment and data services required a rational strategy that needed honest decision-making process at all levels of federal and provincial governments in Pakistan. A smooth internet experience would pave the way for enabling improvement in education, health, transportation, and many other areas in Pakistan, the Veon official concluded.
MacGann is visiting Pakistan to evaluate the progress of Jazz Incubation Center, a public-private-partnership project instituted to train young entrepreneurs for achieving the dream of transforming Pakistan into a digital country.
