March 02, 2008	Sunday	Safar 23, 1429

LAHORE, March 1: The cabinet has granted industry status to the entertainment sector, including studious and production and animation houses, and allowed duty free import of equipment related to this industry, a caretaker federal minister said here on Saturday.

At a press briefing at the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) head office, Caretaker Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Salman Taseer said the entertainment sector had been granted the industry status on the recommendation of his ministry. He said his ministry would prepare a list of equipment used by the entertainment industry in consultation with stakeholders and submit it to the Federal Board of Revenue for exemption from import duty.

He said the government would help the entertainment sector build infrastructure, conduct focused research and expand the skill base through training and house incubation facilities. He said the issue of concession to the entertainment industry in power tariff would also be taken up with Nepra.

Taseer said the entertainment industry was ‘plagued’ by a number of ills. He praised Smeda for conducting a series of meetings with entertainment sector stakeholders to prepare short and long-term strategies for its development.