APBF Wants Concrete Steps In Budget 2020-21 To Keep Industrial Wheel Running - APBF

APBF Wants Concrete Steps In Budget 2020-21 To Keep Industrial Wheel Running

The All Pakistan Business Forum has asked the government to take concrete steps in the upcoming Federal Budget 2020-21 to keep the industrial wheel running especially for SMEs, saving the livelihood of millions of workers associated with the small industries. The government will have to make a visible reduction in taxes in the budget to help revive the businesses, which are near to bankruptcies owing to prolonged worldwide lockdowns amidst coronavirus.

APBF president Syed Maaz Mahmood, in a joint meeting of various trade and industrial sectors held here to review the Budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year, urged the finance ministry that the major focus should be on greater relief to the documented and registered SMEs.

Maaz Mahmood said that the APBF, in consultation with the whole business community, finalized its budget proposals, which were also dispatched to the relevant departments.

He said that with a view to save the economy from the impacts of the slowdown due to the COVID-19 the government should announce special incentives for a cash-strapped Small and Medium Industry, which represents more than 90 percent of around 3.2 million business enterprises in Pakistan, contributing 40 percent to the GDP, employing more than 80 percent of non-agricultural workforce, and generating 25 percent of export earnings.

“The government, in the budget, should allocate a sizeable amount for a soft loan with maximum markup rate of 3% especially for SMEs, as the rest of the world has been providing loans at zero percent markup to bail out their collapsing businesses,” he demanded.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the financial packages announced so far by the government for the industry to deal with the challenges posed by a coronavirus, he called for a significant cut in import duties and waiver of sales tax, income tax, and additional income taxes which are still being charged in this time of grave crisis.

APBF leader suggested that the government should waive the utility bills for local industry, as the industrial and commercial users of electricity were not given any concession yet.

Other participants of the meeting raised their concern over the complicated system of obtaining loans from the banks for the SMEs. They observed that private lending to SMEs was not encouraging and the SBP needed to take regulatory measures in this regard.

The statements will not work unless the government takes solid measures.  A sizable reduction in fuel prices, a major cut in the key policy rate, regionally competitive energy rates, quick refunds payment, and relaxation in duties & taxes.

Syed Maaz Mahmood said that presently industrial production has slowed down and if the situation prolongs, there will be an unmanageable level of unemployment, he warned. He proposed the government suspend sales tax collection from the local industry, restoring zero-rating status to the export sector to avoid liquidity crunch in this time of crisis.

He said other countries are combating the situation through a massive injection of funds through outright grants, ensuring the availability of cheap credit to the industry, and deferment of all government dues and taxes. He urged the government to ensure the continuation of electricity and gas supply to the industrial sector at low rates on a long-term basis and slash the interest rate to at least 5 percent with a view to achieving export target.

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