PM stresses for constant monitoring of power sector’s demand, supply situation

• PM advises NAVTTC to further ensure quality vocational training of youth

• Private sector should play its role towards enhancement of country’s exports, says Abbasi

• Says govt considering formulation of policy to encourage people to invest in productive sectors of economy

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday said that although remarkable progress has been made in the power sector during the last three years, there is a need to constantly monitor the demand and supply situation while keeping in view the anticipated high GDP growth scenario in the future.

The prime minister said this while chairing a meeting of the cabinet committee on energy at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The meeting reviewed in detail the report on the validation of energy and demand forecasting as prepared by the NTDC and evaluated by an international consultant engaged through the World Bank. According to the report, Pakistan will overcome the power shortage by the year 2030.

Amendments to the Renewable Energy Policy 2006 also came under discussion during the meeting. It was decided that the proposals for a new tariff will be developed while based on the best international models so that the most competitive tariffs are achieved in order to lower the basket price of electricity.

HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) Matiari-Lahore transmission line project was also discussed during the meeting. The proposed project with an evacuation capacity of 4000 MW is being planned to ensure the evacuation of power from the new generation planned in southern part of the country to the load centres in the country’s middle.

The prime minister stressed upon the need to synchronise the completion of the transmission line with the expected completion of the power projects in Thar as well as other projects in the south of the country.

PM for optimum utilisation of resources for expansion of NAVTTC

PM Abbasi on Thursday called for optimum utilisation of available resources and infrastructure for the expansion of NAVTTC activities so as to enable the youth to benefit from the skill development programme, particularly under the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme.

Chairing a briefing on the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) the prime minister also advised the body for further strengthening its partnership with the private sector so as to fulfil the market demand and ensure quality vocational training at various institutes across the country.

The prime minister appreciated the efforts of the NAVTTC in transforming raw talent into a skilled and productive workforce.

Minister for Education Engr Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman, Secretary Education Aamir Ashraf Khawaja, NAVTTC Executive Director Zulfiqar Ahmed Cheema and senior officers were also present during the meeting.

NAVTTC executive director briefed the prime minister about the role and functions of the NVATCC for high standard vocational training and skill development of the youth.

Cheema informed the premier that as a result of the concerted efforts by the commission, a four-fold increase in the number of trainees has been achieved during the year 2017-18. He said that at present approximately 100,000 youngsters were being trained in various vocations keeping in view the market demands and emerging trends.

He also shared with the prime minister the future plans of the NAVTTC in view of new jobs opportunities being created after the CPEC.

‘Policy on anvil to encourage people to bring capital back to country’

The prime minister on Thursday said that the government was considering the formulation of a policy to encourage people to bring their capital back to the country and invest in productive sectors of the economy.

He said this in a meeting with a delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) headed by its president Ghazanfar Bilour which called on him at the Prime Minister’s Office. Minister for Commerce and Textile Muhammad Pervez Malik was also present during the meeting, said a press release issued by the PM Office.

The meeting discussed the issues related to various sectors of the economy, ease of doing business, enhancement of the country’s export, input costs and taxation.

The delegation appreciated the steps taken by the current government especially that of addressing the law and order situation, energy crisis and taking the business community and other stakeholders on-board while putting in place a business-friendly environment in the country.

Highlighting certain issues faced by the business community, the members of the delegation presented various proposals aimed at further facilitating them, reducing input costs and taking other necessary measures for boosting the community’s confidence and capitalising the trade potential of the country.

Recounting various measures that have been taken by the government for facilitating the business community, PM Abbasi said that the government was actively working on improving the ease of doing business in the country.

He said that a proposal for the reduction of taxes was also under consideration to facilitate the documentation of economy and broadening of the tax base.

He also said that the private sector should play a leading role towards the enhancement of the country’s exports. The government would welcome the proposals from the private sector and continue to facilitate the business community in every possible manner, he added.