Steps taken to encourage foreign investment in Punjab: Shahbaz

Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is rich in natural resources and has vast investment opportunities. He said that Punjab government is taking all out measures to encourage foreign investment for strengthening economy of the province.
He said that there is a wide scope of co-operation between China and Pakistan in different sectors and there is need for informing Chinese investors in this regard. He was presiding over a high level meeting held here Thursday to explore possibilities of co-operation between China and Punjab in various sectors. Chairman Task Force Khawaja Haroon, Secretaries of Trade, Services, Industries, Livestock, Mines, Agriculture, Transport, Communication and Works department, Chairman TEVTA, Member Board of Revenue, Managing Director Punjab Small Industries Co-operation, DG LDA as well as other officers concerned were present.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab government is taking all out measures for uplifting the standard of living of the masses and providing them basic amenities and all available resources are being utilised for this purpose. He said that foreign investment would further accelerate the pace of development in the province. He said that China and Pakistan had deep-rooted relations and their trade and economic ties were also based on solid foundations.
He said that there was a wide scope of co-operation between China and Punjab province in 12 different sectors including mining, agriculture, livestock and transport. He said that China could extend co-operation to Pakistan in the construction of small dams for the reformation of irrigation system as well as in the field of solar energy for meeting power requirements.
Similarly, he said, coal reserves in Pakistan could also be utilized for generating energy. He said that China could play an important role for the development of livestock sector as well as technical education besides providing expertise and machinery in urban development and solid waste management.
He said that Punjab government is trying to provide better transport facilities to the masses and CNG buses were being purchased from China for this purpose. Similarly, he said, China could also play a significant role in hydel power projects. He directed members of the committee to prepare a comprehensive briefing for co-operation between China and Pakistan in various sectors so that Chinese investors could be motivated for investment in these sectors.