KARACHI: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) SM Muneer demanded the federal government abolish the holiday of Saturday in all state-run organizations in order to promote business activities.
He said that the Federal Ministry of Finance has already put to an end the holiday of Saturday in Pakistan Customs Department, adding that the business community is also wanted similar type of action in all state-run organizations in order to facilitate the trade.
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He expressed these views while attending a luncheon reception in his honour, organized by Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (KATI).
Vice President of FPCCI Shahnawaz Ishtiaq, prominent businessmen Khalid Tawab, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, Abdul Sami Khan, Senior Vice President FPCCI Abdul Rahim Janoo, Muhammad Yahya Polani, Ikhtiar Baig, Nasir uddin Shaikh, Malik Khuda Baksh, Gulzar Firoz, Noor Ahmed Khan, Syed Farukh Mazhar, Zubair Chhaya and others were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the ceremony, S M Muneer said that the scarcity of water supply to the industrial units of Karachi was another issue, as tanker mafia was openly selling water from illegally acquired lines from KWSB, adding that the factory owners have no choice but to buy this water.
He further said that if the finance ministry is to release Rs 100billion stuck up as sales tax refund, then the exports of the country would be increased up to US$ 8billion.
The Vice President of FPCCI and Secretary General United Business Group Zubair Tufail said that the Federation has done its best by giving a very balance federal budget proposals to make the federal budget as business friendly as possible to increase the exports.
He also said that the federation has tried its level best to address issues like customs, sales tax, rebates, circular debts which are hampering the investments, in the federal budget, and tried to convince the government to done away with the SRO culture, adding that further proposals were also given for revival of public sector organizations eradication of poverty and creation of employment in the forthcoming federal budget.
On the occasion, former Vice President FPCCI Khalid Tawab said that everywhere in the world, the government is giving relaxations to the exporters to promote the exports.
Therefore, it is imperative to do away with regulatory duty and lower the sales tax for improving the exports of Pakistan. He said that Ministry Finance is holding billion of rupees of exporters just to improve its balance sheet and Rs. 26 Billion alone are stuck-up in export development fund and Rs. 110 Billion in refund. The exporters are also worried that more than Rs. 136 Billion are available with Ministry of Finance.
