ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that reforms are underway to improve tax system, and consultation with all stakeholders will accelerate this process. 
Chairing a meeting of all major chambers of commerce of Pakistan here, the Prime Minister directed the federal ministers to remain in contact with all stakeholders and hold regular meetings with them to listen to their problems and proposals. 
He said after providing facilities to industrialists and the business community, the government is now focused to resolve issues through mutual consultations. Stressing on the importance of industrial development to strengthen the country’s economy, Prime Minister said that government is facilitating industries to increase exports, which would not only reduce the trade deficit, but also increase foreign exchange reserves in the country and generate employment opportunities.  
The participants of the meeting appreciated the Prime Minister and his economic team for attaining four percent GDP growth despite Covid-19, fifteen percent increase in large scale manufacturing, incentives for export industry and removal of hurdles, incentives for small and medium enterprises by the State Bank of Pakistan, and providing the business community opportunity to benefit from trade potential of Uzbekistan.
They also lauded the government’s initiative to directly listen to the proposals of the business community for the first time and also pointed out hurdles in the business for a gulf between the government and the business community in the past.
The participants expressed satisfaction over the government’s pro-business policies and the steps taken for ease of doing business (EoDB). The government and the business community also agreed to devise a strategy with mutual consultation to increase tax revenue.
Federal Ministers Hamad Azhar, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Advisor on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant Dr. Shahbaz Gill, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Raza Baqir and concerned officials also attended the meeting. Finance Minister Shaukat Fayyaz Tareen participated via video link.