FPCCI delegation holds pre-budget meeting with Finance minister

ISLAMABAD : Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), delegation led by its President, Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh held a pre-Budget Consultative Meeting with Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Finance here Friday and discussed with him matters relating to forthcoming budget-2008-2009 in the backdrop of current economic situation and developments in the country.
According to a statement of the Finance Ministry issued here today, the FPCCI participants discussed with Finance Minister matters relating to forthcoming budget-2008- 2009.
The delegates reposed full trust in the economic management team of Ministry of Finance led by the incumbent Minister and assured all out support to the Ministry.
FPCCI President presented his part of pre-Budget proposals to the Minister focusing social and industrial sector development, besides measures offering relief to the common man against existing price hike and other economic pressures resulting from spiraling fuel prices.
The Government needs to broaden tax base for adequate resource mobilization, besides encouraging agro-based industry to meet domestic food production needs, FPCCI suggested during the meeting.
Power generation sector also merits GoP’s special fiscal support, FPCCI added. The Government , they said may chalk out special financial support package for skill development of unskilled working class in the country in order to maximize industrial production, focusing domestic needs and increased exports to strengthen foreign exchange reserves, it was stressed. Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Governor SBP and Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Finance were also present in the meeting. The Finance Minister assured that all fiscal proposals of FPCCI aiming to make present democratic government’s first budget a success shall be considered seriously by the Ministry’s Budget Team.