Hafeez Shaikh vows investor facilitation in upcoming budget

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said on Thursday the proposals of all business chambers would be considered and a business-friendly budget would be presented.

The finance adviser said this during a meeting with the presidents and representatives of Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Karachi and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The representatives of the chambers briefed the adviser about various problems and challenges being confronted by the country’s economy. They gave various suggestions aimed at improving the economy and industrial sector of Pakistan.

The delegation proposed ways and means to enhance the export of the country and also gave proposals for the Budget 2019-20.

In order to facilitate the business community and attract foreign investment, the adviser informed that the government was focusing on improving the ease of doing business.

He stated that the role of private sector was highly important in improving the country’s economy and urged the members of the business community to play their role in increasing the volume of exports.

Apart from the chambers representatives, the meeting was attended by Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Minister of State for Revenue Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Finance Secretary Naveed Kamran Baloch, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Shabbar Zaidi and Ministry of Finance Adviser Dr Khaqan Najeeb.

Meanwhile, a Chinese delegation of MCC International Incorporation Limited, led by its Vice President Wang Zhou, called on Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Thursday.

The adviser briefed the delegation about the scope of investment opportunities in Pakistan. He informed that the government had taken a number of steps to improve the business climate in the country.

The delegation showed a keen interest in investing in the steel industry of Pakistan and offered complete support for revival, operationalisation and improving the capacity of Pakistan Steel Mills on a public-private partnership basis.