17 projects under PSDP: NA panel suggests Rs 20 billion budgetary proposals

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile Friday recommended budgetary proposals amounting to around Rs 20 billion for 17 development projects of both divisions under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the upcoming budget-2018-19.
The parliamentary panel met here with Siraj Muhammad Khan in the chair to discuss/ scrutinize budgetary proposals relating to PSDP in respect of Commerce Division and Textile Division and their attached departments for the year 2018-19. The committee recommended budget proposals of Rs 11.012 billion for Textile Division and Rs 8.55 billion for Commerce Division under PSDP for next fiscal year 2018-19.
Interestingly, the committee recommended two projects for which land is yet to be acquired. The committee also decided to propose amendments in the rules of business for including agriculture in the concurrent list. PML-N MNA Asad-ur-Rehman criticized Senator Ishaq Dar while saying they were considering him an expert of Constitution but he does not know anything even about economy and should be jailed.
Secretary Textile Division Hassan Iqbal informed the committee about the proposed PSDP allocation for the project of Textile Division. He informed that Rs 4.948 billion have been proposed for 5 new projects whereas Rs 6.064 billion have been proposed for 7 projects which are being resubmitted for approval of the Planning and Development Division.
Apprising the committee of new projects, the secretary said those projects are related to establishment of National Textile University (NTU) campus at Quetta, Garment City Project at Karachi, construction of new library at NTU campus at Faisalabad and implementation of system for standardization of high quality cotton.
Apprising of the projects being resubmitted for approval, he said they are related to PM Skill Development Program for Textile Industry and studies for climatic change, recycling of organic wastes, restoration of soil fertility and cost management in cotton production and marketing.
The committee was informed that Faisalabad Garment City Training Centre (GOP & JICA) is estimated to be completed with Rs 46 million including foreign aid of Rs 20 million from Japan in two years. Thirty-one machines provided by JICA have been installed at training centre and JICA experts have started training of trainees/staff. The better cotton initiative (BCI) for sustainable cotton production project is expected to be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 300 million in five years.
Furthermore, 1,000 industrial stitching units (Phase-I) are estimated to be completed with Rs 350.50 million where 150 units to be installed in Phase-I. The committee recommended installing stitching units in KP and Balochistan also. The objectives of the project include poverty reduction, self-employability through skill development, and promoting export through value addition, empowering female population and upgrading Pakistan Textile Industry by leasing complete units.
Furthermore, Textile Division proposed Prime Minister's Skill Development Program for textile industry (120000 peons) with Rs 4.4 billion, Faisalabad Garment City (Phase-II), Rs 850 million, climate change impact studies and adaptation strategies for cotton location, Rs 20.710 million, recycling of organic wastes and integrated nutrient management for better cotton production and improving soil health, Rs 27.6 million, an integrated approach for development of resistance/tolerance against cotton leaf curl virus (CLCUV) in cotton exploiting field and molecular assays, Rs 24.6 million, cost management in cotton production marketing and standards awareness program, Rs 38 million, and restoration of soil fertility and weed management in cotton through intercropping leguminous green manners, Rs 6.75 million.
The additional secretary Commerce Division informed that the Division had proposed allocation of PSDP fund amounting to Rs 8.55 billion for financial year 2018-19 for seven projects relating to establishment of new expo centers at Islamabad, Quetta and Faisalabad, expansion/remodeling of expo center at Karachi, provision of hostel and transport facility to students at Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design, Lahore, and an ongoing project relating to expo center at Peshawar.
The Commerce Division informed that expo centre Peshawar project was approved by CDWP on 29th October, 2015 at a total cost of Rs 2500 million. The main objective of the project is to provide international standard infrastructure for the promotion of economic activities through trade exhibitions, consumer fairs and conferences in Peshawar. Work on this project was started after the land for the project was transferred on 25th January, 2017 by the government of KP to the project authorities. This project was allocated PSDP funds of Rs 600 million each in fiscal year 2016-17 and 2017-18.
It proposed that the project may be allocated Rs 1.3 billion in fiscal year 2018-19.
The expo centre Islamabad project is a new scheme with a total cost of Rs 2500 million. A sum of Rs 500 million has been allocated to the project in PSDP 2017-18. The main objective of the project is to provide international standard infrastructure for the promotion of economic activities through trade exhibitions, consumer fairs and conferences in the federal capital. The Commerce Division has requested CDA to allocate a suitable piece of land measuring 30-40 acres in Islamabad for the project. The PC-I of the project is under submission to CDWP for approval. It proposed that Rs 1 billion may be earmarked in fiscal year 2018-19.
The expo centre Quetta project is a new scheme with a total cost of Rs 2500 million. The Ministry of Commerce has requested the government of Balochistan for providing a suitable land measuring 40-50 acres for the project. The PC-I of the project is under submission to CDWP for approval. It proposed that the project may be allocated Rs 1 billion in the fiscal year 2018-19. Though the land is yet to be acquired, the committee recommended the project.
The government of Punjab (Industries, Commerce & Investment Department) and Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development & Management Company (FIEDMC) have been requesting for allocation of PSDP funds for establishment of expo centre Faisalabad. They have offered a piece of land measuring 50 acres for the expo centre, free of cost, in M-3 Industrial City, Faisalabad. Commerce Division intends to submit proposal for the project to CDWP shortly. Estimated cost of the project is Rs 2.5 billion. It proposed that the project is allocated PSDP funds of Rs 1 billion in 2018-19.
The objective of the proposed project - Expo Centre Lahore (Phase-III) - is to provide additional facilities at the existing Expo Centre Lahore for parking, security and event support services in accordance with enhanced need of the events. Estimated cost of the project is Rs 1.7 billion. It proposed that the project may be allocated funds of Rs 1 billion in 2018-19.
The Karachi Expo Centre is situated on a piece of land measuring 50 acres owned by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on a 99 years lease. The present infrastructure comprising 6 exhibition halls was built between 2001 and 2007. The facility requires up-gradation and expansion, as the present exhibition space is not sufficient to meet the market demand. With this background, the TDAP plans to completely remodel the entire infrastructure and construct 09 new halls, a convention centre, multi-storey parking facility for 5,000 cars and a multi-storey IT tower. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 8 billion. The PC-I will be submitted to CDWP shortly. It is proposed that the project is allocated PSDP funds of Rs 3 billion in 2018-19.
The committee after thorough discussion recommended the entire proposed PSDP of the ministry for inclusion in budget for next financial year. The committee expressed satisfaction over the progress/implementation of the committee's recommendations by the divisions concerned.
The committee directed Commerce Division to expedite the proposed amendment in Pakistan Tobacco Board Act which would ensure supply of registered and certified tobacco seed to the growers.