The Punjab government, in its budget for the year 2007-08, has given special emphasis on the development of industrial sector and enhanced allocation for the sector by 114 percent to Rs 2,243 million as compared to Rs 1,050 million of the year 2006-07.
The industrial sector has played a pivotal role in increasing economic opportunities in the province, creating employment opportunities as well as alleviating poverty. The provincial government seems to be pursuing a policy of creation of an enabling environment for growth of the sector, to make the industrial products internationally competitive.
Regular review of the legal and regulatory environment, provision of funds for development of new as well as up-gradation of existing industrial infrastructure, and establishing institutions to support the sector are central to the proactive policy being pursued by the provincial government.
The government introduced public-private partnership for the establishment of industrial estates, viz. Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (PIEDMC) and Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development Management Company (FIEDMC), to provide improved services and reduce the transaction cost, thus reducing the cost of doing business in the province.
According to the budget documents, the government earmarked Rs 400 million in the financial year 2007-08 for the Industries sub-sector, which is 122 percent higher than the previous year.
The strategic interventions, planned in the budget to achieve the objectives, include loaning to the Small Scale Industries (SSI) sector including small industries, cottage industries and micro financing of projects / enterprises, infrastructural support to SSI sector, promoting services sector, enhancing industry competitiveness and technology up-gradation through industrial / business clusters development centres programme.
The enhancement of allocation from Rs 750 million of 2006-07 to Rs 1,638 million for the year 2007-08 which is 118 percent for Technical Education and Vocation Training Authority (TEVTA) reflects the government priority in developing human resource, particularly technical manpower in the province.
To enhance global competitiveness of the human resource of the province, the provincial government is pursuing a policy of developing institutions for establishment and promotion of modern demand driven technical and vocational training.
The government has evolved a policy of strategic interventions under which a scheme for 'Establishment of 42 Govt Training Centres' will be launched in uncovered areas of the province in the next financial year with 50 percent matching grant by the federal government.
Besides, 33 schemes for 'Establishment of Technical Training Centres' are being out-sourced to Nespak for construction of buildings. These institutions will be set up in rented buildings till the completion of purpose built campuses. For this purpose the scheme proposed in the next financial year include establishment of 24 Govt Technical Training Centres in rented buildings during current financial year. A scheme titled 'Expert Consultancies Services' has been introduced for 'Skill Mapping', 'Technical Education Reforms' and 'Preparation of Business Plans of the sector.
In order to introduce new subjects in Tevta institutions a scheme 'Establishment of Govt Institute of Emerging Technologies, Raiwind Road, Lahore' has been included under sponsorship of Opec during current financial year to enhance national skill standards and development of three year courses in different technologies like Mechatronics, Industrial Automation Technology, Telecommunication Technology, Bio-Chemical, Pharmaceutical Technology and Nursing. Moreover, a scheme for 'Introduction of New Courses on HVACR (Refrigerator, Deep-freezer, Air Conditioner-(Window/Split)' at 8 Tevta institutions has been introduced for up-gradation/ /revision of curricula of Tevta courses.
To develop mines and minerals, in line with the National Mineral Policy of 1995, the provincial government facilitates investment in the mines and minerals sector to enhance its contribution to the GDP, through a supportive regulatory framework. In addition to grant mining concessions, the provincial government carries out feasibility studies and surveys for prospective mineral resources.
The allocation for this sector has been increased to Rs 205 million in financial year 2007-08, which is 71 percent higher year-on-year. The major projects to be accomplished during the next year include techno-economic feasibility study for mine development of Chiniot iron ore and its industrial utilisation.
The exploration and evaluation of iron ore deposits discovered near Rajoa, District Jhang, study of pre-Cambrian rocks of Kirana hills in Sargodha, Chiniot, Shah Kot and Sangia hill areas for noble and base metals prospecting also include in the strategy. Special focus would also be given for prospecting and exploration of coal deposits in Central Salt Range, establishment of Mineral Geo-data Centre.
The strategic interventions also include establishment/ revival of potential mines cell in Salt Range, assessment and rehabilitation of areas affected due to salt mining in Salt Range, Jhelum and Khushab Districts, assessment of acid mine drainage and its treatment, establishment of mining estates, development of rock salt deposits of Khushab and Mianwali Districts and beneficiation of minerals- installation of silica sand washing plant in Mianwali District.
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