Govt ensures uninterrupted gas,power supply to enhance industrial growth, Senate told

ISLAMABAD, Mar 6 (APP):Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar Wednesday said the government had ensured uninterrupted gas, power supply, provided relief in taxes, reduced cost of production to enhance industrial growth in the country.
Responding to a question in the Upper House of Parliament during question hour, the minister said the government had allowed subsidized gas supply to five zero ­rated exports industry including captive power plants with an aim to boost exports and enhance industrial growth. He said the government was preparing five year tariff policy to ensure competitiveness of local industry and sustainability of tariff structure.
Export Processing Zones (EPZ) has established 7 Export processing zones to promote industrialization; 03 new industrial zones are also being established to promote industrialisation. National Industrial Parks development & management Company (NIPs) has established 05 world class industrial parks to enhance the growth of industrial sector.
He said thirteen new vehicles manufacturers had been granted approval for setting up plants to manufacture cars and other vehicles while two closed-down unites had also been revived.
The Minister of State said the government was also supporting industry through international organization to provide free assistance in technical and non-technical issues to enhance the competence and exportability of the engineering sector.
Hammad Azhar said small and medium enterprises development authority had established 118 help desks to provide guidance to new and existing SMEs for business information, match making facilities fund raising opportunities and counseling on legal and regulatory procedures.