Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday chaired a meeting of Economic Advisory Council to deliberate upon the country’s economic situation, the future strategy and the steps taken so far by the government for the stability and revival of economy.
Minister for Finance Asad Umar apprised the meeting about the positive economic indicators observed during the month of January and other steps like digitalization of the economy and strengthening of the debt management office etc.
Economic digitalization would be helpful in the promotion and development of the financial inclusion, E-commerce market and small and medium industry, the meeting was further briefed.
The prominent economic experts also presented different proposals for strengthening of the country’s economy.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Asad Umar, Minister for Planning and Development Khusro Bakhtiar, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, provincial finance ministers Hashim Jawan Bakht and Taimur Khan, advisor to PM Dr Ishrat Hussain, Governor State Bank Tariq Bajwa, Dr Ishfaq Hassan, Dr Ijaz Nabi (on telephone) Dr Abid Sulehri, Dr Naveed Hamid, Syed Salim Raza and others
ECC MEETS: Finance Minister Asad Umar chaired meeting of Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) here on Monday.
Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) gave a detailed presentation to the ECC on development of SEZs in the country and related issues.
ECC decided that BOI will reduce the time frame for approval of SEZ applications from 90 days to 45 days.
Further, it will propose certain changes in SEZ Act to make it more investor friendly.
It was also decided that SEZs of Islamabad and Bostan will be included in the list of priority SEZs under CPEC.
ECC also asked BoI to revisit the requirements for setting up of tourism, IT and health related entities within SEZs.
ECC directed Petroleum and Power Divisions to devise a road map, within 30 days, for provision of electricity/gas to all industrial estates.
ECC, in consideration of a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Industries and Production, (MOIP) accorded approval for provision of funds to the tune of Rs. 833 million to Pakistan Machine Tool Factory (PMTF) for payment of employees’ salaries and retirement benefits.
