Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Tuesday, said that the government was taking practical measures for export-led economic growth and assured implementation of the recommendations of various working groups.
The prime minister chaired a meeting of the working group on tax reforms as part of series of meetings held with the private-sector experts working groups aimed at national economic reforms, PM Office Media Wing in a press release said.
During the meeting, the prime minister said the government held the tax-paying businesses and companies in high regard, adding only strong businesses and a robust economy could generate tax revenues.
“We desire to make business in the country better and more competitive through long-term measures. Since day one, the government has been taking practical steps for export-driven economic growth,” he added.
Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervez Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to PM Haroon Akhtar and senior relevant officials attended the meeting.
Chairman of the Working Group, Shehzad Saleem and other members were also present in the meeting.
The meeting was given a comparative briefing on tax rates in various sectors, including the corporate sector. Proposals regarding necessary tax reforms to support private-sector development, increase exports and promote investment in the country were presented. Recommendations were also shared on enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistan’s business sector in the region.
The prime minister also expressed his gratitude to private-sector experts for presenting comprehensive proposals, hinting that after due consideration, he would be forming a committee headed by the finance minister to make these proposals actionable.
The committee would submit a roadmap based on the practical steps, he added.
The businessmen and investors, attending the meeting, thanked the prime minister for his directives in the previous meeting to abolish the export development surcharge.