Speakers at investment conference have stressed the need for investment in agricultural, livestock and dairy development sectors. They said that the sectors have great potential for economic development for the province.
The speakers called upon the government to focus on post-flood recovery of agriculture sector, which was only solution to grow investment, and that the terrorism and floods had brought negative impacts of economic growth of the province.
They added that economic growth and investment has sharply declined in the prevailing terrorism and insurgency situation in the province, especially in Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The conference titled "Investment climate in KPK and Fata" held under the auspices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar (AUP) in collaboration with Research and Development Institute (RDI), a non-governmental organisation here on Thursday. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister for Industries, Ahmad Hussain Shah was the chief guest on the occasion.
The keynote speakers were included secretary industries, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development, Ms Sitara Ayaz, Arbab Sharukh Khan, Vice Chancellor, AUP Professor Dr Khan Bahadur Marwat, Dr Subhan Quershi, Dean Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Rizwan Ahmad, additional Director, P&D, Dr Zulfiqar, Ms Eyma Aman, a research analyst.
Delivering a comprehensive lecture, Eyma Aman said that trout fish production has immensely declined hit by last year flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She said that there wasn't taken any practical steps to revive the sector in the province.
She stressed the need for regeneration of the high revenue generating and job-oriented fish farming sector. Giving the example of neighbouring India, she informed that the government has not investment much for development of fishery sector as compared to India. She added that there wasn't need huge investment for the sector, but it should start with very minor level.
She called for drastic measures for development and revival of fishery sector in the province. The government should take practical steps and support the farmers to regain their business, she demanded. Dr Subhan Quershi, in his presentation on "Bio-Technological Development in KPK", stressed the need of promotion of research culture at academia and institute level. He informed that the institute had established feed-milk for facilitation of small farmers in food and nutrition assistance.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister for Industries, Ahmad Hussain Shah, in his keynote address said that after the passage of 18th amendments, he said that government is focused on renewal of energy projects to cope with growing power crisis, and unemployment issue.
KP Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development, Sitara Ayaz has emphasised for establishment of peace, would be beneficial for enhancement of economic growth in the province. Dr Khan Bahadur Marwat, Vice Chancellor, AUP also addressed on the occasion, briefed about the investment for development of farmers and academia.