KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has cooled down industrialists regarding the boiling issue of gas infrastructure development cess (GIDC) by assuring them ‘he is working to resolve the issue.’

He responded to the GIDC issue when some industrialists during a meeting with him on Saturday pointed out that they have started receiving gas bills carrying GIDC.

Site Association of Industry President Suleman Chawla said the premier has asked industrialists not to take any tension on GIDC as he is working out a solution.

The prime minister has assured businessmen of providing all the facilities and incentives as the government intends to create a conducive business environment for all players.

He said the government adopted a comprehensive policy to deal with the Covid-19 to keep industrial and trade wheels moving.

The premier said the incentive package given to the construction sector would open new employment opportunities.

The government, PM Khan said, is trying to bring automation in the business and investment so that businessmen could work in a transparent manner.

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Mian Anjum Nisar said the PM had said that the government is finding a solution for the GIDC issue.

He said the amount of payment for industries under GIDC runs into billions which would make them bankrupt if the issue is not resolved.

He said he had also urged the State Bank of Pakistan governor to further bring down the interest rate by one to two per cent.

Anjum said he took up the issue of high power tariffs with the PM on which Imran Khan said he had asked Federal Minister Asad Umar regarding a report on negotiations with the independent power producers.

He said the Prime Minister had also asked Asad Umar to hold a meeting on the agriculture sector for improving yields. Anjum Nisar said he would share a report on agriculture with Asad Umar which could boost yield of various crops.

North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry President Naseem Akhtar said he had asked the Prime Minister to at least visit Karachi two times and hold meetings with businessmen.

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry President Sheikh Umer Rehan said the Prime Minister has assured industrialists that the working environment would improve as all stakeholders in the federal and provincial governments are now on one platform and their problems would be solved on priority.

He said he had asked the Prime Minister to ensure a direct funding from the Rs1.1 trillion package for the infrastructure development work at various industrial estates.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2020