Dr Arif Alvi President of Pakistan addressed the businessmen of Karachi at a dinner-meeting on the invitation of Khalid Tawab at his residence in Karachi. While addressing the large number of businessmen on the occasion Dr Arif Alvi appreciated the role played by businessmen not only keeping the economic activities intact rather uplifting it in the era of COVID pandemic which had jeopardized the economy of entire world.
The President said that the government policies have proved that it is business friendly and the economy and agriculture sectors are on its top priority. He said that agriculture sector is still the largest sector of the economy of Pakistan in terms of labour participation and as such livelihood of the majority of the population directly depends on it. He further said that the National Agriculture Emergency Programme (NAEP) of the government envisages integration of information technology solutions and the agriculture sector. He expressed his optimism that the NAEP will address the Pakistan food security woes and enhance the export of agriculture products. The revolutionary steps by the government for the agriculture sector yielding productive results enhancing the production of rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane and pulses which will ultimately contribute in our exports. The government has also decided to overhaul and improve the waterways and also ensure the tackling the locust threat. He also stressed the need for commodity warehouse and cold storages provide farmers with direct access to wholesale markets.
President while speaking about the IT sector said that IT sector is one of the fastest growing sectors of Pakistan contributing about 1 percent of GDP of Pakistan at about $ 3.5 billion. It doubled in the past four years and expected to grow further 100 per in coming two to three years. This sector has significantly contributed providing considerable job opportunities to youths. The government has plan to further facilitate investment in IT sector therefore it has an open door policy to provide facilitation round the clock. It is reassuring that IT sector of Pakistan has emerged as best investment sector, he added.
President also spoke about the industrial amnesty scheme for the industrialist. The new package will allow big giants to make their money white without fear of inquiry. This amnesty scheme will enhance the industrialization in Pakistan and under this package the investor will be responsible for setting up a new company and setting up new industrial units, as well as the business community to take advantage of this facility to balance or modernize their existing industry, he further added.
In his welcome address Khalid Tawab highlight the challenges being faced by business community in Karachi. He emphasized on the need of industrial lands in Sindh which would not only enlarge industrialization but also provide job opportunities. He also spoke about the law and order situation, transportation, infrastructure condition particularly in industrial sites, health facilities, tanker mafia and police reforms,
Mr. S M Muneer Patron In-chief of UBG also spoke on the occasion on economic issues and industrial amnesty schemes, release of stuck up exports refunds etc. Prominent personalities present on the occasion were Commissioner Karachi Iqba Memon, Regional Commissioner Income Tax Tariq Mustafa, CEO KEL Mooonis Abdullah, Director FIA Amoir Farooqui, Chairman Korangi Associaton Salman Aslam, Arif Habib, Yaseen Malik , Idrees Allahwala, Bashirjan Muhammad, Yahya Polani, Fayyaaz Illyas, Zubair Tufail, Sultan Chawla, Senatior Haseeb Khan, Ikram Rajput, Suleman Chawla Ikhtair Baig Sami Khan, Shujat Bai, Zakrya Usman and others.
