May 30, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 24, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 29: Finance Minister Syed Naveed Qamar assured investors on Thursday that the government would continue to pursue its investor-friendly policies and it was determined to correct the macro-economic imbalances for the prosperity of the country.

“The government is looking for additional resources and intends to rationalise subsidies being given on various counts,” the minister told a Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) delegation which called on him and discussed issues relating to stock market and economy of Pakistan at length.

The KSE delegation proposed measures to build investors confidence and to arrest the declining trend in the capital markets.

The delegation drew finance minister’s attention towards proposed extension of capital gains tax exemption.

The minister apprised the delegation about the investor-friendly policies of the government as it sees a very important role for the capital market in the economic development of Pakistan.

He, however, said that the government had not yet made a decision on levy of capital gains tax and was considering various options to beef up the revenue collection.

He said that the biggest challenge before the government is to bring down budget deficit due to sharp rise in oil prices in international market.

The finance minister also accepted the invitation of the KSE to visit the exchange at the earliest.—APP