Lahore: With a view to keep the economy running and generate employment
opportunities the Friends of Economic and Business Reforms (FEBR) President
Kashif Anwar has urged the government to announce the construction sectors’ relief
package for the entire industry across the country in the post-corona slowdown
economy.
Kashif Anwar observed that the housing sector-like historic incentives for all
industrial sectors would prove a turning point for the economy, besides providing
financial flexibility to the low income people.
He said that government has already declared construction sector an industry as it
had huge demand of up to 70 associated industries. He added that the move would
add the positive impact to the country’s economic health when the same relief would
be provided to those allied industries.
Kashif Anwar said that FEBR appreciates the PM to create a balance between
maintaining a lockdown and keeping the construction sector running to save people
from hunger and poverty. He appreciated the allocation of huge funds by the SBP for
those who have lost their jobs or facing income issues during the coronavirus crisis,
urging the government to formulate a mechanism to ensure fairness.
Hailing the special package for construction industry, the FEBR President, who is
also the former LCCI vice president, said that the sector plays an important part in
development of a country.
He also hailed the federal government to reduce the number of NOCs and made a
one-window operation in all the provinces, besides reducing taxes in the provinces
and now investors should take advantage of this short window of opportunity.
Kashif Anwar recommended that the purpose of the National Coordination
Committee on Housing, Construction and Development should be removal of
obstacles in the way of the construction industry and for this purpose the provinces
should also be taken on board.
In the current situation, when whole global economy is in recession, the government
has taken good steps to announce package for construction industry by providing it
concessions and tax relations, he said adding that the same incentives for other allied
industries will lead to a revolution in the economy of the country.
He said that he could see long-term effects of this pragmatic decision and said that in
recent situation, it would uplift investments in property and construction sector and
re-open huge potential for new investment.
He said that ultimate impact of these tax relaxations would leave good impact on the
sector, which not only open up opportunities but also activate the circle of 70 others
allied industries.
FEBR leader said that construction of high rise building and other big projects would
also promote growth and investment. He said that small housing scheme for middle
class would be better option to get benefits from this tax relaxation given by the
government and also expected growth in country’s economy.
He said that this was takeoff time for construction industry, hence needed a
comprehensive strategy to get more benefits from this government tax relief package.
He also lauded the current tax relaxation to the construction industry and said this
would promote market liberalization in this sector. The market regulation and
liberalization would help promote growth in construction industry, he said, adding
that this would give opportunity to the new investment and job opportunity in this
sector. He said that the entire industry in Pakistan needs more tax liberalization to
compete to other competitors in region and create more employment opportunity in
country’s economy.
