Govt. to further promote EoDB and develop Special Technology Zones for economic development: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a progress review meeting on Ravi City and Lahore Central Business District.
ISLAMABAD ( ABRAR MUSTAFA )
Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday chaired a meeting to review the progress made towards streamlining business processes especially in priority sectors including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the establishment of special technology zones (STZs) in the country.
During review, the Prime Minister appreciated the progress made so far by different departments of federal and provincial governments towards improving ease of doing business. These steps include easy and fast registration of companies and online approvals through a fast track system. Prime Minister directed relevant authorities to expedite work on remaining identified steps in this regard.
Prime Minister expressed satisfaction towards efforts being made to reform tax system and directed that maximum facilitation of business community be ensured. He said that the proposal of levying a fixed tax on good at an affordable rate may also be considered in consultation with all stakeholders besides introduction of international standards rating regime to ensure quality control.
Prime Minister also commended the efforts of Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) in attracting big tech companies like Huawei and Samsung along with top boot camps to start operations in Pakistan. It would not only offer lot of training opportunities to talented Pakistani IT professionals but would also lend them rewarding employment opportunities.
Prime Minister observed that enhanced number of Special Technology Zones with all the needed ecosystem will go a long way in facilitating tech businesses to thrive in the country. He emphasized that equal attention should be paid towards setting up STZ in Balochistan and AJK besides major cities who are already ahead of the curve in establishing such Special Technology Zones.
Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a progress review meeting on Ravi City and Lahore Central Business District. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib, Special Assistant Dr. Shahbaz Gill, Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Lt. Gen. (retd) Anwar Ali Haider, Vice Chairman LDA Sheikh Muhammad Imran. Finance Minister Shaukat Fayyaz Tareen, Provincial Minister for Housing Punjab Mian Mahmood ur Rasheed, Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Dr Salman Shah, CEO Ravi Urban Development Authority Imran Amin and concerned senior officials participated through video link.
The meeting was informed that due to special emphasis on environment protection in the mega project, 24,000-kanal Jhok Forest is being set up in Ravi City, which would be the first forest of its kind in Pakistan to be monitored by smart sensors. The project has been partnered with Huawei for technical support. The Knowledge Park to be set up on 150 acres in the project is an important part of it.
The meeting was informed that a comprehensive urban forest strategy has been formulated in Ravi City under which the project includes not only protection of existing forests and establishment of knowledge park, but also establishment of public parks, botanical gardens, bird sanctuaries, butterfly parks and gardens whereby the Butterfly Parks are being built in consultation with international experts.
The meeting was further informed that about one thousand industries would be set up in Ravi City’s Renewable Industrial Estate (first of its kind in Pakistan) covering an area of 2000 acres. The said Industrial Estate includes IT park, cold storage, landfill sites, low-pollution / green industry, green reserves and water treatment plant. In addition, a waste-to-energy plant will also be installed in the project.
The meeting was also briefed in detail on the progress on Sapphire Bay.
With reference to the Central Business District, the meeting was informed that on August 4, 2021, in the first phase, 5 plots will be auctioned in which a large number of investors are participating and it is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 13 billion. The second phase will be launched immediately after the first phase auction is complete. The Prime Minister said that both the projects are of national importance and would play a key role in solving the problems of Lahore city and especially in generating economic activities. He directed that an integrated strategy be formulated to ensure uninterrupted progress on the projects.
In addition, the Prime Minister showed satisfaction regarding the pace of work on Sapphire Bay.
