Lahore: Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht said that Budget 2021-22 will be a business friendly budget while special attention will be given to the industrial and agricultural sectors to revive the economy and promote business in the province.
The minister was chairing a maiden consultative meeting with the industrial sector to prepare the annual development program for the next financial year on Tuesday.
Hashim said that business friendly projects will be included in the annual development programs. In this regard, the suggestions of the private sector from the industrial sector will be warmly welcomed.
The provincial minister said that the Punjab government had given a historic relief package of over Rs57 billion for the revival of businesses while special concessions will be given to the industrial and commercial sector in the next financial year as well.
He informed the meeting that a comprehensive plan for the promotion of small and medium enterprises was being formulated in the next budget. He said that Punjab government was ensuring the participation of stakeholders in the budget preparation process this year as well as last year.
He observed that for the first time private sector has taken on board in the preparation of the budget for the next financial year.
Provincial Minister for Industry and Commerce, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other stakeholders from the private sector participated in the meeting.
Provincial Industry Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal said that in order to facilitate business, one-stop services are being ensured for starting new businesses. Special attention will be given to skills development in the next financial year. More courses will be added to institutions under TEVTA as per market demand.
He assured the stakeholders from the private sector that their suggestions would be made a part of the next development program.
On the occasion, Chairman Planning and Development Board Punjab Abdullah Sanbal said that the concept of economy without industry is impossible. He said the government is well aware of the difficulties facing the private sector. Public policies will be taken into account in the preparation of the annual development program.
