LAHORE  - International Finance Corporation (IFC) delegation, during a meeting with Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here on Monday, agreed to cooperate with govt in improving tax collection system.
The delegation of IFC, which is a subsidiary organization of World Bank, included its head of the investment department for Middle East and North Africa Andrei Mikhnev, Dr Amjad Bashir and Saima Zubairi. Provincial Minister for Finance Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Minister for Industry Ch. Muhammad Shafique, Secretary and concerned officers were also present.
The meeting agreed to cooperate for improvement of taxation system as well as investment in energy sector.
The Chief Minister during the meeting highlighted the problems the national economy and the public life was facing due to shortage of electricity and the steps government has taken to meet the electricity and gas deficit. He particularly projected special incentives offered by the government to local and foreign investors to involve them in the power producing efforts of the government. He said at the provincial level mega projects for generation of electricity from coal, solar, biogas and biomass have been started while working is continuing on the hydel projects of Dasu Dam and Bhasha Diamir Dam by the Federal Government. He said besides increasing production of electricity, due attention is also being paid to its conservation.
The CM said that Punjab government and IFC are working together for improvement in various sectors however there is a need for further cooperation to enhance their performance. He also stressed the importance for reformation of taxation system for increasing resources for implementation of development and public-welfare projects. He also asked the IFC to also encourage private sector for the construction of silos. He said in addition to curbing theft of wheat, construction of silos would also help in storage of wheat in a proper manner. Shahbaz Sharif said that government has promoted a corruption-free culture.
Andrei Mikhnev said that IFC is already working with Punjab government in different sectors and cooperation will further be promoted. He said that Punjab is the only province of Pakistan where positive changes are being witnessed.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that a national economy can be strengthened by promoting tourism in the country. With this aim, he said the government of Punjab is setting up theme part in the provincial metropolis where recreational facilities of international standard would be provided.
He expressed these views in a meeting with a representative delegation of various Turk companies, here on Monday.
The delegation included General Manager Via Land, Tolga Alisoglu, Director Construction of Gursoy Group Mustafa Karaty and General Manager Turkish Airlines, Alp Yavuzeser.
The Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif while talking to Turk delegation welcomed offer of cooperation by Turk company Via Land for the theme park project. He said that Punjab government wants to benefit from the experience and expertise of Turk company Via Land in the establishment of the theme park. He said that a feasibility plan of the theme park will be prepared with the cooperation of Via Land Company.
He said that there is a great potential in tourism sector in the province.
Tolga Alisoglu said that his company will extend cooperation to Punjab government for theme park project. He said that world standard feasibility plan for the theme park will be submitted within 45 days.