Skilled man-force imperative for growing trade industry: CM Balochistan

QUETTA: Interim Chief Minister Baluchistan Allauddin Marri on Tuesday said keeping in view the growing potential of trade industry and investment in the province, we have to create a more skilled man force, for which technical institutions' effective functioning is imperative.

The interim chief minister expressed these views while presiding over the fourth meeting of the Balochistan Special Economic Zones Authority Board held here.

Interim provincial minister for Finance Imam Bakhsh Baloch, Chief Secretary Balochistan Dr. Akhtar Nazir, Additional Chief Secretary (Planning and Development) Hafiz Abdul Basit, Secretary Finance, Live Stock and other members of the board also attended the meeting.

The interim CM said along with the coastal areas of the province, other parts of the province were also suitable for trade industry where profitable investments could be made.

Addressing the meeting, the CM said there were numerous opportunities for investment in this province, including coastal strip where tourism could be promoted in district Chagai, rich in mineral resources and perfect area for industrialization.

The interim CM said we were blessed with diverse landscape, its paramount utilization could eliminate the backwardness of this province.

The interim CM said that more attention should be given to the promotion of private public partnership, this would upsurge investment activities and make it easy for the investors to capitalize their currency in this region.

The interim CM said the government would provide complete support to the youth for acquisition of technical training.

The interim CM remarked that the interests of local people should be made the first priority in the Gwadar Master Plan.

Mohsin Syed Consultant for Balochistan Special Economic Zone briefed the participants regarding establishment of Boston Economic Zone and institution of zones in other parts of the Balochistan as well. Board members also reviewed the progress made on the decisions made in the last meeting.

Mohsen Syed told the board members that in view of the growing prospects of trade industry in Balochistan, the provision of technical training to the youth in the province was very important, for which one hundred youngsters would be provided six months training from every district. This move would let investors and industrialists capitalizing in the province to locate skilled people locally.

He said there were many areas including Boston zone, where meat processing units can be established through live stock, which would boost the economy of the province.

The board members pondered upon various issues including water and electricity supply to already established Economic Zones.

It was also decided in the meeting that the feasibility report as proposed by Boston Economic Zone after being advertised with P & D would be forwarded to Federal Board for the approval.