Gwadar plots only for those who mean business

[Naveed Yaseen]

ISLAMABAD (October 24 2008): Adviser to Prime Minister on Industries, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo on Thursday proposed constitution of an administrative body to oversee major projects being undertaken for development of infrastructure in Gwadar and adding that industrial plots should be allotted only to those who mean business.

The Ministry of Industries and Production has also proposed zero rating of sales tax on supply of construction materials to investors who are working at the Gwadar Export Processing Zone for development of infrastructure. The proposal was floated in the meeting of the committee constituted by the ECC on package of incentives for Gwadar Export Processing Zone under the Chairmanship of Manzoor Wattoo.

It was also proposed that provision of plots be made to investors on lease at reasonable rates which will be determined by authorities of EPZ in consultation with government of Balochistan depending on the size of investment.

The committee also proposed to give permission to industrialists for exporting upto 80 percent of their production from zone to tariff area of the country on payment of usual duties.

The committee proposed 20-year tax holiday for accelerated development of Gwadar Export Processing Zone. Exemption from stamp duty was also suggested for the purpose. The committee also recommended similar incentives to exporters in Gwadar as were available to projects in other parts of the country. The representative of Balochistan government, Ahmed Baksh Lahry said that all the policies regarding development of Gwadar project should be framed keeping in view the needs and desires of the local community.

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