By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet Wednesday approved the structure and estimated financial impact of the National Remittance Loyalty Program (NRLP), a mobile application for which is scheduled to be launched in October 2021.
The NRLP programme is being introduced with a view to incentivize remitters to transfer funds through formal channels, thus further strengthening the inflow of remittances.
Chairing the ECC meeting, Federal Minister for Finance, Shaukat Tarin directed to exercise due diligence before the launch for seamless integration with all service providers to ensure smooth working of NRLP.
Earlier, Secretary Finance gave a detailed presentation on NRLP, stating that remittances form backbone of the economy.
He said, the proactive policy measures by the government and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have incentivised the overseas Pakistanis and encouraged them to remit their hard earned money through formal channels.
The use of formal channels has contributed in achieving record remittance of $29.4 billion in the last fiscal year, the secretary said adding that it was a clear reflection of confidence in Pakistan’s economy by overseas Pakistanis.
In order to continue the positive trajectory of remittances, the State Bank of Pakistan would introduce a mobile application, NRLP, which would offer incentives/rewards to overseas Pakistani against each remittance transaction in accordance with a set criteria. The above application would be formally launched towards the end of October 2021, the secretary added.
Among others, Federal Minister for Interior, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed; Federal Minister for Privatization Muhammad, Mian Soomro; Federal Minister for Energy, Hammad Azhar; Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Asad Umar; Advisor to the PM on Commerce, Abdul Razak Dawood; Advisor to the PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity, Dr. Ishrat Hussain; SAPM on Power & Petroleum, Tabish Gauhar; SAPM on Finance and Revenue, Dr. Waqar Masood, Federal Secretaries and other senior officers participated in the meeting. Governor State Bank of Pakistan Mr. Reza Baqir also participated in the meeting through a video link.
