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Tag: Economic Coordination Committee

  • Sugar mills monitoring: ECC approves Rs350 million for VAS purchase

    Sugar mills monitoring: ECC approves Rs350 million for VAS purchase

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Monday approved Rs350 million for procurement of Video Analytics System (VAS) to monitor production of sugar mills.

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, chaired the meeting of the ECC.

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) presented a summary regarding procurement of VAS for proper monitoring of the production and sale of sugar in compliance with the directive of the prime minister.

    “The ECC approved an allocation of Rs350 million as a Technical Supplementary Grant for installation of the most optimal VAS solution at the sugar mills’ premises during the current crushing season as requested by the FBR,” a statement said.

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, Adviser to the PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr. Ishrat Hussain, SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, SAPM on Power Tabish Gauhar, Governor State Bank Reza Baqir, Chairman FBR and Chairman Board of Investment participated in the meeting.

    Secretary, Ministry of Energy briefed the ECC about the detailed report by the Implementation Committee regarding conversion of MOUs into Agreements with IPPs to devise a payment mechanism for clearing outstanding payables.

     The Implementation Committee has agreed the payment mechanism with the 46 IPPs to clear the outstanding dues as on 30th November, 2020.

    The ECC commended the efforts made by the Implementation Committee and acknowledged the input of all concerned including Federal Minister for Energy, Federal Minister for Planning, SAPM on Power, Finance Division, Chairman Federal Land Commission, SAPM on Revenue, Governor SBP etc in working out a viable payment mechanism with the IPPs which will eventually save approximately Rs836 billion for the government over the average life of the projects.

    The ECC approved the report of the Implementation Committee with a direction to present the same before Cabinet for final approval.

  • ECC approves renewal of gas supply agreement between SSGC, Fauji Fertilizer

    ECC approves renewal of gas supply agreement between SSGC, Fauji Fertilizer

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on Wednesday approved the renewal agreement of gas supply between Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited.

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, chaired the meeting of the ECC of the Cabinet.

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, Minister for Privatization Muhammad Mian Soomro, Adviser to the PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr. Ishrat Hussain, SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, SAPM on Power Tabish Gauhar, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar and Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan participated in the meeting.

    Petroleum Division placed a summary before ECC regarding renewal of Gas supply Agreement (GAS) between Sui Southern Gas Company Limited and Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited.

    After detailed discussion, the ECC approved with a condition that renewal would be allowed on “as and when available basis” for a period of 05 years. SSGCL may restore the gas supplies to M/S Fauji Fertilizer till December, 2021 or until a uniform rate for the whole fertilizer sector is formulated after rationalization of tariffs (whichever is earlier).

    The ECC considered and approved another summary by the Petroleum Division for re-allocation of gas from Saqib-1A Well located in District Ghotki, Sindh Province to M/S Sui Southern Gas Company Limited from its previous allocation to SNGPL (as approved earlier by the ECC dated 06-10-2009). The price of gas will be as per the applicable Petroleum policy.

    Petroleum Division also moved a summary for removal of Dividend Distribution cap on Mari Gas Company Limited (MPCL) under Gas Pricing Agreement as the company is being considered for privatization.

    After due deliberation, the ECC allowed that the dividend distribution cap may be removed to ensure that the divestment transaction generates optimum sale proceeds for the Government.

    The Committee further decided that MPCL would ensure dividend distribution in accordance with the Provisions of Companies Act, 2017 and the Companies (Distribution of Dividends) Regulations, 2017.

    On the recommendation of the Ministry of Housing and Works, the ECC allowed the Ministry to utilize its own funds equal to Rs. 377.21 million for renewal of lease of Garden West (Pakistan Quarters), Karachi.

    The following Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs) were approved by the ECC:

    a) Rs. 141.308 million to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for an expenditure incurred on media campaigns to create awareness among public during COVID-19 pandemic.

    b) Rs. 9.025 million to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for a media campaign on occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day – 05 Feb. 2021.

    c) Rs. 5 million for purchase of spare parts for helicopter maintenance by HQs Pakistan Rangers (Punjab).

    d) Rs. 25 million for purchase of spare parts for helicopter maintenance by HQs Frontier Corps Balochistan (South).

    e) Rs. 10 million for repair and maintenance of helicopter by HQs Frontier Corps KP (South), D.I.Khan.

  • ECC approves continuation of general subsidy through Utility Stores

    ECC approves continuation of general subsidy through Utility Stores

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, in its meeting on Thursday, approved the continuation of general subsidies on five essential items provided to consumers through the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).

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  • ECC abolishes value added sales tax, reduces advance tax to 0.25pc on sugar import

    ECC abolishes value added sales tax, reduces advance tax to 0.25pc on sugar import

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved removal of value added sales tax and reduction of withholding income tax to nominal 0.25 percent on import of white sugar.

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  • ECC approves removal of additional customs duty on 152 tariff lines

    ECC approves removal of additional customs duty on 152 tariff lines

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved removal of additional customs duty at 2 percent on import of raw material of 152 tariff lines.

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  • ECC approves issuance of $500 million Eurobonds

    ECC approves issuance of $500 million Eurobonds

    The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) convened on Thursday and granted preliminary approval for the issuance of $500 million Eurobonds, marking a significant move to secure financial resources for critical national projects.

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  • Taxes removed on locally manufactured mobile phones; ECC accords approval

    Taxes removed on locally manufactured mobile phones; ECC accords approval

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved removal of taxes on locally manufactured mobile phones.

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  • ECC abolishes peak-hour electricity tariff

    ECC abolishes peak-hour electricity tariff

    ISLAMABAD: Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Thursday approved abolishment of higher electricity tariff for peak hours.

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  • ECC withdraws regulatory duty on cotton yarn import

    ECC withdraws regulatory duty on cotton yarn import

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Wednesday approval removal of 5 percent regulatory duty on import of cotton yarn.

    The Ministry of Commerce presented a proposal before the ECC regarding removal of 5 percent regulatory duty on import of cotton yarn till June 30, 2021. After detailed discussion, the chair approved the removal of regulatory duty on import of cotton yarn to enhance value-added exports.

    Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the meeting of the ECC of the Cabinet in Islamabad.

    Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Minister for Production and Industries Hammad Azhar, Minister for Privatization Muhammad Mian Soomro, Adviser to the PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood and Adviser to the PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Ishrat Hussain also participated in the meeting. Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Reza Baqir joined the meeting through video link.

    The Ministry of Commerce submitted another summary to re-consider the earlier decision taken by ECC dated October 19, 2020 regarding procedure for registration under concessionary regime of electricity, RLNG and Gas in export oriented sectors (erstwhile zero-rated sectors). After due deliberation, the chair directed to maintain status quo with a condition that FBR may register new manufacturers or exporters in five export oriented sectors (erstwhile five zero-rated sectors) in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce till June, 2021.

    Communication Division requested ECC for conversion of National Highways Authority loans into Government Grant or grant a waive-off for a much needed fiscal space. A detailed presentation was made before the forum to remodel NHA as a self-sustaining and performance based organization. ECC directed to constitute a sub-committee under the Chairmanship of Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and would include SAPM Nadeem Babar, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi, Secretary Finance and Secretary Communications to prepare a holistic proposal suggesting revenue generation roadmap for NHA within a month.

    NHA was also granted a one-month moratorium to work out details and present recommendations regarding financial viability of NHA before the forum.

    The ECC recommended a summary presented by the Industries and Production Division to approve release of funds to PSM for payment in lieu of gas supply to SSGC through a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG).

    ECC approved allocation of upto 9.5 MMCFD gas from M/s PPL’s Benari X-I discovery to SSGCL. Similarly, allocation of 10 MMCFD gas from PPL’s Hadaf X-I to SSGCL was also approved during the meeting. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs raised the matter of priority berthing for wheat and sugar.

    The ECC directed the Logistics Committee to ensure berthing of wheat and sugar vessels on priority, keeping in view, that other imports are not affected.

    The ECC also accorded approval for allocation of additional funds for maintenance of Islamabad High Court Building and Judges Residences through TSG as requested by the Ministry of Housing and Works.

    The agenda item on Karachi Transformation Plan, presented by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives was deferred to the next ECC meeting for a detailed discussion.

  • ECC approves $150 million for COVID vaccine purchase

    ECC approves $150 million for COVID vaccine purchase

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Friday approved an amount of $150 million for the purchase of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet here at Islamabad.

    Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, Minister for Economic Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar, Adviser to the PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Ishrat Hussain, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar and SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, also participated in the meeting.

    The ECC evaluated a proposal submitted by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination and approved, in principle, the provision of technical supplementary grant of $150 million for the purchase of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Ministry of Health briefed the ECC that this shall be the first phase of procurement and the amount of vaccine will suffice for the most vulnerable 5 percent of the population i.e. the health workers and the population above the age of 65 years; around 10 million people would be provided a vaccine cover under the above arrangement.

    The ECC further directed the Ministry of National Health Services to discuss the proposal with WB and other donors in coordination with Economic Affairs Division so that they could assist in providing financial facility for the procurement of the vaccine during the first phase and for the procurement of additional quantities in future as needed.

    The forum also directed the Ministry of NHS to draw a holistic proposal regarding the pricing and risk mitigation mechanism for the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccine for provision on a wider scale, in consultation with the relevant stake holders.

    The ECC approved the request of the Economic Affairs Division to proceed with the formal request for availing the G-20 Debt Relief for the extended period i.e January-June 2021; approval of the Federal Cabinet would be required for signing of the bilateral debt service suspension agreements.

    The ECC also approved two technical supplementary grants for “Initiating the Process of Retrenchment of Pakistan Steel Mills Employees (PSM)” for an amount of Rs.19.656 billion and “Prime Minister’s Special Package to Implement SKILLS FOR ALL Strategy as Catalyst for TVET Sector Development in Pakistan for Rs. 500 million.

    Another Rs. 689.3 million were also approved as budget re-appropriation for National Information Technology Board (NITB) for fulfilling its various requirements during the meeting. ECC also approved the proposal by the Ministry of Energy/ Petroleum Division for the allocation of 2.25 MMCFD gas from Umair -1 to M/s OGDCL for sale to M/s Engro at a mutually agreed and negotiated price, under a Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement subject to initiation of Field Development Plan and Development and Production Lease.

    The ECC was also briefed on the status of wheat import through Trade Corporation of Pakistan. Ministry of National Food Security and Research briefed the forum on the provision of additional 340,000 MT of Wheat, a tender was floated on 11-10-2020; the bids were opened on 18-10-2020 and lowest bid was accepted. The total quantity to be imported is now 2.248 MMT.