Ease of doing business govt's top priority: Zaidi

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi on Tuesday said that ease of doing business was the top priority of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government, ARY News reported.

According to a statement issued from the ministry, Ali Zaidi, with the objective of reducing the cost of doing business, has taken a decision to stop the private container terminal operators from charging the unjustified levy of scanning fee in respect of containers that are not subjected to scanning.

It is pertinent to mention here that the private container terminals operating at the KPT and PQA were levying scanning charges of five dollars on each and every container handled by them though near 1 percent of import and 1.5 percent of export contains actually underwent scanning, read the statement.

Zaidi directed the port authorities to stop the private container terminals from charging the fee on containers that were not selected for scanning.

Read More: Govt making efforts to ensure ease of doing business: Hafeez

Earlier in the day, adviser on Finance and Revenue Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh had said Pakistan provided lucrative opportunities to the foreign investors for investment owing to its conducive business ambiance.

Addressing a ceremony on Thursday, he had said the incumbent government was making strenuous efforts to ensure ease of doing business in the country. He had said despite financial constraints, the government was fully focused on promoting the country’s export through motivating the local businesses.