The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has termed the Punjab Budget for the year 2013-14 as pro-poor and business-friendly and congratulated Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for evolving comprehensive strategy for progress and prosperity of the province. The LCCI president Farooq Iftikhar said that the budget focus on energy projects is enough to make the point that the Punjab government wants revival of economic activities in the province.
He said decision to enhance power generation through hydel, coal & solar resources through public-private partnership would not only help ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity to the industry and masses but would also give a boost to the economic activities in the province.
He said that the decision the facilitate private sector energy projects would help ensure electricity to the industry as now a large number of businessmen would be able to initiate power projects in the province. He said that that allocation of Rs 3 billion for self employment of the youth would encourage young entrepreneurs.
Farooq Iftikhar said that the Punjab budget in a balanced one in many ways as huge funds have been allocated for record development programmes and for the uplift of less developed areas of the province which would help curtail unemployment on the one hand while attract the foreign investment on the other.
He said that special focus on education sector shows the commitment of Chief Minister Punjab with the people of Punjab. He said that allocation of sufficient funds for establishment of more Danish Schools would certainly help poor to get their child educated. He said that austerity measures taken by Punjab government would remove the burden on the provincial exchequer and enhance government revenue.
He said that continuity of Ashyana Housing Scheme was a step in right direction as it would not only provide shelter to the middle and lower class but would also accelerate the activities in construction and allied industries. Farooq Iftikhar said that special concentration on the rural areas and allocation of funds to provide employment, clean water and other facilities would improve the living standard of the people in these areas.
He also lauded the continuity of youth internship program, laptop and solar lamp scheme, change of Patwari System, computerisation of land record, establishment of computer labs and technology university. The LCCI president said that measures taken in the Punjab Budget 2013-14 would attract the much-needed foreign investment. He said that business community would support the government in the larger interest of the country.