PTBP Web Desk
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the 3rd meeting of the Revenue Mobilization, Investment, and Trade Programme (REMIT) Steering Committee on Thursday. The meeting focused on reviewing the progress and status of decisions implemented in earlier sessions, with objectives centered on enhancing revenue mobilization, improving the investment climate, bolstering trade, and ensuring macroeconomic stability.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance, the meeting convened senior officials from key government ministries and REMIT’s implementing partners, including the World Bank, GCSI, and ASI. British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, was also in attendance alongside representatives from the Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries and Production, the Board of Investment (BoI), and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The committee assessed progress across various sectors, emphasizing macroeconomic stability as a cornerstone for inclusive and sustained growth. Discussions centered on the following key areas:
- Revenue Mobilization: Enhancing tax collection mechanisms to broaden the revenue base.
- Investment Climate: Creating a more conducive environment for both domestic and foreign investors.
- Trade Facilitation: Streamlining processes to boost exports and reduce trade deficits.
- Macroeconomic Governance: Addressing critical challenges such as fiscal discipline and resource allocation.
- Climate Change Adaptation: Integrating sustainable practices into economic policies to tackle climate-related challenges.
Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb lauded the progress made under the REMIT Programme, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of stakeholders. He stressed the importance of adopting a proactive and coordinated approach among implementing partners to accelerate progress.
“The successful implementation of REMIT’s objectives will play a pivotal role in driving Pakistan’s economic stability and growth,” he remarked. The Minister also underlined his personal commitment to monitoring the activities and deliverables of the Programme to ensure it remains on track.
The Finance Minister called for the effective utilization of advanced management and monitoring tools to achieve the Programme’s goals. He highlighted the necessity of inter-agency coordination to streamline efforts and overcome bottlenecks.
Representatives from the World Bank and other implementing partners presented detailed updates on ongoing initiatives and outlined strategies for achieving future milestones. The meeting also addressed potential challenges and identified actionable solutions to maintain momentum.
Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, reiterated the UK’s support for Pakistan’s economic reforms and the REMIT Programme. She emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships to enhance trade, attract investments, and tackle shared global challenges such as climate change.
