Directs NCC to achieve set targets at the earliest during a meeting in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed on the importance of promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on Thursday for the improvement of the economic indicators already on a positive trajectory.
Chairing a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on SMEs in Islamabad, the premier directed for the SMEs to be promoted and set targets achieved at the earliest.
Small and medium enterprises are an important component of the economy and their promotion will strengthen economy and create job opportunities, the prime minister observed.
The meeting was informed that the database of the SMEs was being updated on a priority basis in order to extend timely facilities to them. Morever, he was told that the tax form for such enterprises was also being simplified.
It was also disclosed that the process of consultations to extend financial assistance to the small and medium enterprises was underway with all the stakeholders. In this regard, a separate fund for SMEs will also be created.
PM Imran was further informed that Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) was being restructured to further enhance its capacity.
The prime minister on Monday reiterated that the government was committed to providing ease-of-doing-business to the investors, saying the economic activities generated by the special economic zones (SEZs) would increase job opportunities for the skilled and unskilled labour.
The premier made these remarks while chairing the 7th meeting of the Board of Approvals for SEZs in Islamabad. The session was apprised that there were 19 SEZs notified in the country.
The board approved SEZ Zone Enterprise Admission and sale/lease of Plot Regulations 2020 and launching of online SEZ Management Information System. The approval process will be digitalised and streamlined and act as a one-window operation for the investors and ensure transparency.
