KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has urged the government to address the issue of Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) by taking stakeholders into confidence.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, FPCCI Vice President Ismail Suttar said the gas cess has rendered local industry uncompetitive against cheaper imports from China and far eastern countries. He said the PTI government should get industry on board before deciding on GIDC.

He regretted that past governments instead of raising taxes from unregistered persons resorted to imposing GIDC to boost up revenue collection. The imposition of GIDC on industry has been a major cause behind shutdowns and reduction in activity in the country.

Meanwhile, Punjab’s textile millers on Tuesday agreed to negotiate the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) issue out-of-court after the proposal was floated by government during negotiations held in 2018.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2019