Govt ensuring uninterrupted gas, power supply to industry, Senate told

ISLAMABAD: The Senate was informed on Wednesday that government has ensured uninterrupted gas and power supply to industry, relief in taxes and clearance of refunds to enhance industrial growth.

Responding to a question in the House during question hour, Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar said the government is preparing five year tariff policy to ensure competitiveness of local industry and sustainability of tariff structure.

He said seven export processing zones have been established while three others are being set up to promote industrialization in the country.

He said thirteen new vehicles manufacturers have been granted approval for setting up plants to manufacture cars and other vehicles while two closed-down unites have also been revived.

The Minister of State said the government is also supporting industry through international organization to provide free assistance in technical and non-technical issues to enhance the competence and exportability of the engineering sector.

Hammad Azhar said small and medium enterprises development authority has established 118 helpdesks to provide guidance to new and existing SMEs for business information, match making facilities fund raising opportunities and counseling on legal and regulatory procedures.

Responding to a question, Planning Minister Khusro Bakhtiar said Gwadar master plan is being finalized this month and the government will ensure provision of electricity and gas to Special Economic Zones.

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