Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) President Zahid Saeed has urged the federal and provincial governments to allocate funds in the next budgets for the development of industrial infrastructure. He said that the Sindh government had assured the industrialists of developing industrial estates and also initiated projects, but there was no such noticeable improvement in the infrastructure.
He said that all industrial estates, including Korangi Industrial Area, were facing serious problems, particularly, the shortage of water had proved to be a disaster for the industry.
Saeed said that the industrial sector was not only making a significant contribution to the national exchequer, but also providing jobs to a large number of people. "If the basic needs of the industry are not fulfilled, how socio-economic development in the country could be achieved," he questioned.
Saeed said that the development of industrial infrastructure should be the top priority of the governments.
Another industrialist, Tahir Masood, said that industrial estates in the city needed more finances to overcome issues like damaged roads, acute water shortage, frequent failure of power supply, gas shortage etc.
He said that investment could not be attracted without developing the infrastructure as per international standard.
He said that investors were more interested to invest in the countries where they got best facilities and world class infrastructure.
Masood said that now it was the time for the federal and provincial governments to allocate funds in coming budgets for infrastructure development, besides formulating long-lasting strategies in consultation with the industrialists and the business community.