ISLAMABAD: Federal Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has assured Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) to give status of Special Economic District to Gwadar (GSED) with 10 to 20 years tax holiday.
The minister was talking to a delegation of ABAD here on Monday. Delegation was lead by Chairman Southern Region ABAD Raheel Rinch. Former Chairman ABAD Arif Jeewa and ABAD Gwadar Chapter’s leading members Affan Qureshi and Humayu Qadir were also present on this occasion.
ABAD delegation highlighted importance of Gwadar and requested the federal Minister to take up issue of granting Special Economic District status to Gwadar with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to speed up the process. Balochistan government has already approved status of Special Economic District for Gwadar and has requested federal government to announce Gwadar Special Economic District as soon as possible for the economic development of the country.
The delegation also requested minister to grant 35 years tax holiday for Gwadar but the minister said that he can try to convince federal government to grant 10 to 20 years tax holiday for Gwadar. He also assured the delegation to take up this matter with the Prime Minister and all stakeholders immediately as this issue is very important for the economic development of Pakistan. He said that a special meeting will held the Prime Minister in Gwadar on GSED with delegation of ABAD and other stake holders.
The meeting also discussed for sharing of TORs and special economic district model of neighbouring countries with the government, especially with the Ministry of Planning and Development as well as the Ministry of Finance. They also discussed to initiate Tourism promotion plans on most urgent basis on costal belt of Makran, especially coastal areas of Gwadar Range in consultation with Balochistan coastal development authority.
Chairman South Region ABAD Raheel Rinch invited the Planning and Development Minister to visit ABAD House in Karachi, which was accepted by the minister and assured to visit ABAD House sooner.
