Adviser to Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms, Dr Ishrat Hussain has reiterated that the incumbent PTI-led government is keen to support private sector as driver of economic growth. He assured that the government will facilitate and provide all incentives to business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to promote industrialization, economic prosperity and development of the province. He was addressing as keynote speaker at a seminar on "Investment opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: driving sustainable development in the province", held under the auspices of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in collaboration with GIZ in Islamabad, said in a press statement issued here on Wednesday.
While praising the efforts of SCCI, German Ambassador in Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck said that despite the security and other challenges, there was immense potential to make investment in different sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were not tapped properly. He asked the investors to make investment in all those potential sectors in KP. Faiz Muhammad Faizi, SCCI President while apprising the participants about issues and problems being faced by business community in the province urged the government and relevant institutions to take serious and pragmatic steps and giving incentives to investors as well as bringing flexibility in policies to revive industries and economic prosperity and development in the KP.
Bernhard Schlagheck lauded the efforts of SCCI for promotion of industrialization and economic revitalization of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that diverse potential in various sectors were available for local as well foreign investors, which needed to be exploited properly. Seantor Nauman Wazir said that KP is producing low cost electricity but it was receiving electricity on high charges. He, however, said the province will soon get electricity at cheapest rate of Rs 10 per unit very shortly. Senator Nauman Wazir said the government is taking measures to boost trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as other regional countries. He said that initiatives had been made to curb smuggling and illegal trade on Torkham border. He stressed the need for taking practical steps for development of mines and mineral sector.
Leader of United Business Group, Senator Ilyas Bilour while speaking at concluding session criticized the PTI-led government for economic failure. He added despite passage of six years of rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, people of the province had yet to seen any change as the PTI was completely deviated from its pre-elections promises. Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Industries, FPCCI president Daroo Khan, provincial Minister for Information, Shuakat Ali Yousafzai, Abdul Karim Khan, Adviser to KP CM Himatullah Khan, former president SCCI and Chairman committee KPIOC, Zahidullah Shinwari, Maleeha Bangash, Head of Investments and EODB Ministry of Finance, KP, Saeed Khan CEO KPEZDC, Riaz Daudzaid, Commissioner RTI KP were keynote speakers at the inaugural session.
Besides, SCCI Senior Vice President, Engr Saad Khan Zahid, Vice President Haris Mufti, former president FPCCI Ghanzafar Bilour, former presidents Haji Mohammad Afzal, Faud Ishaq, APCEA Chairman Engr Mazoor Elahi, Rashid Aman, Chief of SMEDA KP, Shandana Gulzar, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, presidents and office-bearers of different chambers of commerce, a large number of representatives of relevant stakeholders, members of business community, importers and exporters were present on the occasion. SCCI chief urged all stakeholders to shun their differences and work together for development of industrialization, which can contribute to economic stability and prosperity in the province. Faizi said the KP is lucrative destination for local and foreign investors, wherein a lot of opportunities were available to make investment in diverse potential sectors.