GOVERNMENT URGED TO PROMOTE ALTERNATE ENERGY SYSTEMS BY WAIVING DUTIES/TAXES

Exemption of alternate energy systems from taxes demanded
Posted about 12 hours ago | Onepakistannews

KARACHI, The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has invited the attention of the secretary finance to the high cost of installing alternate energy devices due to levies and urged him to totally exempt the alternate energy systems from all taxes, duties to enable the SME units install alternate energy systems as the government has not been able to supply uninterrupted power to the SME units and it has become necessary to install alternate systems.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said the SME units were suffering losses due to energy crisis and have been deprived of electricity for long hours which was disrupting production and performance, therefore, it was essential for the SME units to resort to alternate energy systems of different types and after payment of sales tax and import duties on imported systems it becomes very costly. It is therefore incumbent upon the government to facilitate the consumers to install alternate energy systems and make it affordable for them.

He urged the ministry of finance to abolish sales tax and import duties on all devices of alternate energy based on solar, wind, bio gas and mini power systems using rice husk to generate power and also generators of all sizes used in shops, factories and houses.

Secondly the union also urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to offer concessional finance to SME units desirous of installing small to medium sized alternate energy systems. The SBP is offering subsidized finance for windmills to the large sector but the SMEs need finance at low mark up for other types suitable for SME units.

Posted in: Press Releases