A Chinese company has expressed keen interest in establishing a steel mill in Punjab during a high level meeting at Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT). Ansteel International Trading Company is one of China's leading steel and titanium manufacturers. The company had sent a 10 person delegation to hold a meeting at the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade's headquarters in Lahore to discuss the future of steelmaking and manufacturing in the region.
Ansteel International has various steel related operations in different countries, including Australia, Spain and Italy. They are now interested in opening a steel mill in the Punjab and hope to do this soon.
According to the spokesperson of the PBIT discussions were held regarding the possibility of investment by the company into the steel industry of Punjab.
They were interested in the already developed sites of Chiniot and Kalabagh to open a 1 million ton capacity steel mill because of their vast deposits of iron ore and coal.
The meeting which was attended by the Minister for Mines& Minerals and Minister for Industries along with Abdul Basit, Chairman PBIT and Amena Cheema CEO PBIT.
Ansteel International was reassured of the safety and security of their investment and personnel and that the PBIT and other concerned bodies will do everything possible to ensure the success of their investment.
The Punjab government and PBIT in particular will act as facilitator for the company and ensure that all bumps in the investment process are appropriately handled.
The company was promised easy access to raw materials such as water and certain minerals like limestone and coal as well as a steady and reliable supply of labourers and skilled workers that will be trained according to Ansteel's requirements.
The company will also be given a 30-year lease in a mineral rich area with an easy option to keep extending the lease in 10-year instalments.
The government will also develop road and rail networks for the company if needed for easy accessibility and transportation.
This will be a great project if it comes to fruition. Not only will it involve the development of rural areas, but will provide jobs for thousands of locals and in general improve the standard of living.
The company will also be required to build a power plant which will not only provide energy to the mill but also to the surrounding areas.
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