Govrenment's top priority is to run economy on strong foundations creating opportunities for livelihood, more trust among foreign investors and enable local industries to flourish. Adviser to Prime Minister for Institutional Reforms & Austerity, Dr Ishrat Hussain stated this on Saturday. He was speaking at the 4th International Business Conference & Exhibition (IBCE) organized by University of Management and Technology.

He also said government is ready to facilitate private sector provided businessmen pay taxes. He said job creation in the country is not possible without the support of private sector. Ishrat said it is our national duty to pay taxes otherwise people must not claim better health, educational facilities and public transport from the government.

He also said the improvement of country's ranking in 'Ease of Doing Business' by the World Bank was a big achievement of government for attracting more foreign investment. "Pakistan's economy would get more integrated with the global economy and this linkage would bring foreign investment to the country."

He said students should bring new ideas which will be helpful in boosting the economy of country. US Counsel General Lahore, Catherine Rodriguez said they are starting visas from Lahore so that the businessmen don't have to go to Islamabad and Karachi for this purpose. She said Pakistan and the US have very strong business ties which should be strengthened. She said small and medium businesses play an important role in strengthening economy of any country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019