ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said economic activities to continue despite COVID-19’s fifth wave in the country under strict SOPs.
Addressing the launching ceremony of National SME Policy 2021 in Islamabad today [Wednesday], he said PTI government is taking every possible step to facilitate the youth in establishing businesses including startups.
Underlining the importance of SMEs in the country’s development, he urged the private sector to facilitate the government’s initiative of providing more facilities to new businesses.
The Prime Minister said stern action will be taken against all those elements that can create hurdles in the way of exports and the agriculture industry.
He said all impediments are being removed to facilitate the registration process of SMEs. He reiterated his government’s resolve to support Small and Medium Enterprises for robust economic growth through exports.
Imran Khan said despite COVID-19 challenges, our government received record remittances, tax collection and export revenue.
Earlier, Minister for Industries and Production Khusro Bakhtiar said to facilitate new businesses we have fixed around nineteen thousand plots for lease on easy instalments.
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He said an amount of thirty billion rupees will be fixed for revamping SMEDA to facilitate SME sector.
Earlier, National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) announced new restrictions to prevent further spread of coronavirus in the country.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and NCOC head Asad Umar presided over the meeting in which cautious measures to combat coronavirus outbreak were discussed.
During the session, the participants decided that implementation on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) will continue from January 20 to January 31 while special non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) will be enforced for wedding halls till February 15.
Cities having more than 10 percent COVID-19 positivity rate can have only 500 guests in an out-door event while total ban on in-door events has been imposed, the members agreed.
NCOC further decided that the cities having less than 10 percent positivity rate can have 300 guests in an in-door event.
