Federal Minister for Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi here on Friday announced setting up of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) near Quetta and hoped that the local entrepreneur would avail this opportunity and invest in different export oriented industries.
Speaking at the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs conference here on Friday he said that the government is making all out efforts to provide necessary infra structure and financing for setting up industries in different parts of the country including Balochistan. This would not only provide them with an opportunity to earn profit but also provide jobs to local people.
He said that the federal government is keen for speedy development of the province and construction of Gwadar port is one of the efforts being made in this behalf. He deplored that certain elements were opposing the project just for opposition sake. "This is not politics but a conspiracy against the people of Balochistan," he maintained.
He called upon the people of the province to adopt progressive thinking for the future of their children and work together for the betterment of the province and the country.
He said that the government is alive to the importance of small and medium size entrepreneur-ship and has revamped the Smeda to make it more effective and helpful for the people.
The Federal Minister for Production said government is ready to provide necessary assistance to the private investors in setting up of date and apple processing plants in the province.
He said import of machinery required for these projects is exempted from duty. The SME Bank has reduced the mark up rate from 11 to 9 percent to facilitate the businessmen and it is now up to them to come forward and set up industries in the province.
He said during his tour abroad, enquiries had been made from him as to when Gwadar port would be ready. The foreign investors are also interested in investment in Gwadar, he added.
The port, he said would be ready for operation in 2005 and the people of the province would get benefit from it. On this occasion, the Federal Minister also announced to provide gas to Winder town in Lasbela district provided the gas supply line existed within the radius of 25 kilometres.
Earlier, Balochistan Minister for Industries Mir Abdul Ghafoor Lehri in his address called for close contact between the provincial government and Smeda for development of small and medium size business in the province.
Earlier, Chief Executive officer Smeda Shahab Anwar Khawaja highlighted the aims and objectives of his organisation.
Former Senator Syed Fasih Iqbal and member Smeda from Balochistan Syed Kamaluddin Ahmed also spoke on the occasion and threw light on the potential of industrial development in the province.