Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana has promised to extend every co-operation to the business community for the cause of national economy. While talking to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Abdul Basit and other office bearers here at the LCCI, he said that strong relations between government and private sector are vital to keep the momentum of growth. The government has achieved a lot during last three years.
There is a lot of development in the energy sector and country would be self dependent in power generation till the year 2018, he said. The law and order situation is far better than the past and would be much better in the days to come. The tourism industry is booming while reforms in agriculture sector are paving way for agri revolution, he added. To a question, the Governor said the issue of Indian water aggression is being raised at the international forums. He also promised to take up the issue of disparity in electricity and gas prices between the provinces with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
While agreeing the LCCI proposal to declare the important roads as industrial corridors, the Governor urged the Lahore Chamber to forward proposals in this regard and promised to forward recommendations to the provincial government regarding construction of parking plazas and imposing ban on protests at city roads. "As Governor Punjab, my full support and co-operation is available for the business community as no country could move ahead without its due role", he maintained.
The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that electricity is an important raw material of the industry which should be provided to the industry on subsidised rates to boost the declining exports. The gas and electricity tariff should be uniformed throughout the country, he said. On the issue of Kalabagh Dam, the LCCI president said that government should make a clear decision on this mega project as provoking statements of Indian Prime Minister are ringing the alarming bells. He said that all political parties should give priority to the national interests.