Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has said that National Finance Commission (NFC) award will soon be finalised and announced. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of exhibition, "My Karachi-Oasis of Harmony", organised by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at Expo Center here on Friday, he said that after the finalisation of NFC award, the Sindh government would get the much-needed funds for the development of infrastructure and other uplift projects.
POWER CRISIS: The governor said: "The provincial government is well aware of the electricity and water problems and many schemes and plans are under way to deal with them."
"Power failure and load-shedding is one of the crucial issues," he said, adding, "due to higher demand and less power supply people are facing power shortage."
The governor said that the electricity shortage issue would be resolved by the completion of Hesco casting power generation project by April next year.
He said that the K-III project, which would supply additional 100 mgd water to Karachi, is under-construction and would likely be completed by June 2006. "It will help overcome the water shortage in Karachi."
MAIN FOCUS: Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan said: "The main focus of the government is on the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and creation of new industrial areas in the province. "In two years time we would see tremendous growth in this sector."
He said that foreign and local investors have started investing in the province and expanding their existing units with the improvement in law and order condition in the province.
He pointed out that Nooriabad, where there were only five units a few years ago, now houses around 61 units. In Thatta, which had only one unit, now the number has gone up to 17 units. "Besides this, every industry in Karachi is now making a huge investment in its unit expansion."
He praised KCCI chief Khalid Firoz on the organisation of second exhibition that would not only provide a very attractive venue, both to the local and foreign manufacturers, to exhibit their products and help promote trade.
He also complimented China, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka for participating in this event.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General of China Sun Chun Ye hoped that the Karakoram Highway will play a very important role in increasing two-way trade by road link. He said: "The Chinese like to work in close co-operation with the Pakistani business community."
He said that this exhibition would provide Chines companies a venue to further explore the Pakistan market and develop more business contacts.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh S. A. Shamim Ahmed said: "Big potential exists to boost two-way trade and business relations."
He invited Pakistani businessmen to take part in Dhaka International Trade fair.
Ambassador of Indonesia Anwar Santoso said that Pakistan and Indonesia have bright chances to increase business co-operation and increase their trade.
He thanked the Pakistani businessmen, students and general public for their help during tsunami incident crises.
Consul General of Sri Lanka Manel De Silva said that signing of free trade agreement between Pakistan and Sri Lanka would boost the two-way trade in a big way.
Speaking next Siraj Kassam Teli, the former president KCCI, said: "Business and industrial community of Karachi are of the opinion that since Karachi and Sindh contribute to the tune of 67 percent to the government exchequer of the country, we at least deserve to have a proper and just share in NFC formula."
Welcoming the guests, President KCCI Khalid Firoz suggested that Karachi Electric Supply Corporation should be divided into two separate entities of distribution and transmission.
He said that the KESC has been privatised but the new Saudi management has backed out of taking it over. "It is very difficult for one company to manage both the affairs of distribution and transmission," he said.
He said that Karachiites have been witnessing frequent power breakdowns and un-announced load shedding, causing untold miseries to the people in the sizzling heat.
He said: "The prolonged power breakdowns have a crippling effect on the industrial output."
Comments
Comments are closed.