Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that industrialists and traders are the backbone of national economy and a comprehensive strategy has been adopted for the promotion of industrial and trade activities.
He was talking to office-bearer of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industries at Chief Minister's Secretariat here on Friday. Member National Assembly Khawaja Mohammad Asif, Senior Political Assistant Pervez Malik, Vice Chairman Investment Board Pir Saad Ashanuddin, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Hassan Ali Bhatti, Secretary and office-bearer of the Chamber were also present on the occasion.
He said an investment-friendly atmosphere had been created in the province while a vibrant and active investment board had also been constituted for facilitating industrialists and traders as well as solution of their problems. "The Punjab government is working on various projects of power generation and negotiations are also being held with a Chinese company for generation of energy from coal," he added.
He said that all the resources were being spent on the rapid development of the province and welfare of the masses. "An effective strategy has been adopted for the promotion of small industries while early solution of the problems of industrialist and traders is also being ensured. Energy crisis has badly affected industrial, agricultural and other sectors, therefore the government is working on alternate sources of power generation, including generation of energy from coal and utilisation of coal gasification technology," he added.
In response to the demands of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the Chief Minister gave approval to awarding autonomy to Sialkot Public School, initiating work on medical college project as well as various uplift schemes in Sialkot.
He said the educational standard of the school should be further improved while educational opportunities should also be provided to poor but talented students. He said an amount of Rs 100 million had been allocated this year for setting up medical college in Sialkot and work on this project would soon be started. He also ordered completion of material testing laboratory within seven month besides accelerating the pace of construction of Sialkot Hockey Stadium. He further directed to expedite the construction work of approach road of Sialkot Airport as well as installation of streetlights. He said recommendations had been sought from Higher Education Department for up-gradation of Murray College Sialkot.
He directed Chief Executive and Vice Chairman Punjab Investment Board to keep a close liaison with industrialists and traders and pay a visit to Sialkot Chamber of Commerce. He also directed them to evolve a comprehensive strategy for solution of the problems of industrialists and promotion of industries in Sialkot. He assured industrialists that government would leave no stone unturned for resolving their problems. Earlier, the office-bearers of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industries briefed the Chief Minister about various development projects in the city.