ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP): The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet Thursday on a proposal moved by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs. 459.5 million for coping with the emergency of desert locust threat in Pakistan
The committee which met here at Cabinet Block with Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance & Revenue Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in chair also directed Ministry of National Food Security and Research to brief the ECC in its next meeting on the measures taken so far to control the threat of desert locust in different parts of the country.
At the outset the committee was informed that nine districts of the country are affected by the Locust and the Department of Plant protection has been given the responsibility of dealing with the threat. So far 170,000 hectares have been cleared and the Ministry has been provided updates on daily basis.
The ECC also approved the “Enactment of Pakistan Single Window Bill, 2019” to be sent to the Cabinet which aimed at facilitating businesses in Pakistan.
The ECC was apprised that 42 government agencies are involved in granting approvals for different business. Through this Single window, all parties involved in trade and transport can lodge standardized information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfil all import, export and transit related regulatory requirements.
The committee was informed that the Customs Wing in FBR developed NSW Roadmap and implementation Framework, in April 2018 with the help of International Experts. This initiative is expected to improve Pakistan’s rating at ease of doing business index. It is expected that the project will be completed in December 2021.
On the proposal of Ministry of Interior, the ECC approved the allocation of Rs300 million through Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) for raising of 1 Special Wing of Pakistan Rangers for (Protection of) Kartarpur Corridor on the recommendation of GHQ.
The ECC directed that a three-member committee consisting of Adviser to Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Secretary Finance and a representative of Ministry of Interior shall look into the details of the proposal and further rationalize the costs.
VNS ISLAMABAD
