APBF wants allocation of 15% of Budget for Hydro Power Projects

APBF wants allocation of 15% of Budget for Hydro Power Projects

 (APBF May 20th, 2017) - LAHORE –Promoting foreign direct investment (FDI), increasing the share of direct taxes and slashing the slab of indirect levies topped the proposals presented by the All Pakistan Business Forum for the federal budget 2017-18 to the Finance Ministry and Federal Board of Revenue, which would help achieve key economic targets set for the next fiscal year.

Unveiling budget proposals at APBF head office today, President Ibrahim Qureshi said that the APBF
has submitted comprehensive proposals for the upcoming federal budget with main objective to bring liberal investment policy, infrastructure development, broadening of tax base and creating jobs through industrialization. The budget proposals were compiled in an unbiased and transparent manner, incorporating feedback received from business community on hosts of sectors from all over the country.
He said the APBF budget proposals cover recommendations, including proposals to incentivize investors, broaden tax net through documentation of economy, simplify tax system and reorganize FBR and many industry specific proposals.
He said that the APBF, in its Budget proposals, also suggested that the sales tax slab should immediately be curtailed in order to reduce cost of production and inflationary pressures. APBF has urged the government to reduce sales tax to single digit and also cut corporate tax to make the upcoming budget business-friendly.
Ibrahim Qureshi said that only political will and drastic steps can revive the economy, which should be grown significantly and constantly for visible impact. He advocated the need for raising the country’s tax base so that tax-to-GDP ratio improves from current 9%.
At least 15% of the total budget should be allocated for Hydro power projects, it stresses. Reliance on costly thermal power has been jacking up the cost of production and the import bill as well. In order to tackle the energy shortages, maximum funds should be allocated for construction of dams or water reservoirs, tapping of Thar Coal and completion of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. The country is in dire need of an urgent shift in its energy-mix in favour of Hydro power and local fuels.
APBF has given very detailed proposals for broadening tax base and identifying new potential taxpayers. It recommends that all income earners should pay taxes equitably, including on income from agriculture related activities and all kinds of government and banks saving schemes. All income earners without exception of any sector should be registered with proper national tax number (NTN). Tax authorities should ensure all NTN holders file annual income tax/wealth returns and wealth reconciliation statements. The culture of amnesty schemes should be completely eliminated as it discourages honest taxpayers.
It has been stressed in APBF Budget proposals that the sales tax and income tax return forms should be made simple and standardized so that taxpayers do not have to face the hassle of new tax return forms on an annual basis.
Rising risk perception about investing into Pakistan has been hitting hard the Foreign Direct Investment that fell sharply in recent months and needed to be tackled through a comprehensive policy approach by involving business community.