Says Gwadar port to benefit region
ISLAMABAD
Acknowledging the role of information technology (IT) and telecommunication in overall economic development of the country, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail has assured the telecom sector of all possible support on taxation issues.
The finance minister said this on Wednesday while talking to a delegation of the telecom sector, comprising Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim and Telenor Group CEO Wahat Khan, according to a press statement issued by the Finance Ministry. He emphasised to make greater contributions in enhancement of IT and telecom-related exports.
The delegation briefed the finance minister on the contribution of the IT sector in the economic development of Pakistan. It was shared that currently the IT and Telecommunication sector was facing various issues including serious challenges of profitability.
In the same view, the delegation requested for reduction in taxation over the items that hardly fall under purview of luxury goods. It was also shared that growth of IT and Telecommunication not only contributes in increasing the exports but also in overall growth of gross domestic product (GDP).
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin-ul-Haq, chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, chairman Federal Board of Revenue and other senior officers also attended the meeting.
Separately, the finance minister termed the development of Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free Zone area as important nodes of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), having huge potential for economic development and progress of the region.
He said this while talking to Chairman China Overseas Ports Holding Company Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Zhang Baozhong, who called on him. Miftah lauded the technical support provided by the Chinese company for development of the region’s most strategically located port of Pakistan.
They discussed and took decisions on important issues related to development of Gwadar port and broadening the mutual cooperation.
Zhang Baozhong, on the occasion, expressed his company’s interest in further enhancement of cooperation in the fields of maritime and logistics.
