Industrialists have said that the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) would play an important role in strengthening the budding industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. They said that the new president of FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour, who assumed charge two days back, belongs to prominent political and entrepreneur family of KP and he was expected to bridge the gap between Federal Government and industrialist of the province.
Speaking at a meeting in Swabi, Liaqat Ahmad Khan, former president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and prominent member of Swabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) said that the single industrial zone in the district Swabi, Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate (GAIE) had been ignored by successive governments and the role of the Federal Government for Gadoon Estate is very crucial.
"Those industrialists who stayed at GAIE after the withdrawal of incentives had really worked in very difficult circumstances," he said. Ghazanfar, who had wide industrial experience and knew well about the difficulties faced by the local industrialists, would play his due role with complete determination and devotion, he said.
"I hope that Ghazanfar would contribute to build up and infuse a new strength in the local industry. This is an opportunity and he knew what should be done for the industry as president of FPCCI," he said. Zahid Shah, former president of Gadoon Industrial Association (GIA) said that industrial base in KP is quite weak and needed concentrated and coordinative efforts to boost the industrial sector which would not only contribute to the country's economy but a number of people would also be able to earn their livelihood with dignity and honour.
The other industrialists have expressed hope that the both federal and provincial government would take steps to make the Gadoon Estate more energetic and productive because the past step-mother treatment of the successive governments had created numerous problems for the investors.