Karachi (HRNW): Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Jam Ikramullah Dharejo has said that Sindh is the largest gas-producing province of the country; therefore, the province’s legitimate share in gas supply to its industries should be given priority. He said uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity to industries is essential for industrial and economic development.
He said that, on the special directives of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and under the leadership of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the provincial government is taking practical measures to promote industrial activities in Sindh, create a conducive environment for investment, and resolve the problems faced by the business community.
The provincial minister expressed these views while speaking as chief guest at a luncheon hosted by the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) for representatives of the industrial community. Secretary Industries and Commerce Shadia Jaffer, KATI President Muhammad Akram Rajput, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Exports, Trade and Commerce Masood Naqvi, members of the Executive Committee, and other industrialists were also present on the occasion.
The provincial minister said that the Sindh government is taking serious measures to resolve the problems faced by industrialists and further improve the business environment. He said that the One-Window Operation would be made fully functional to facilitate industrialists and save them from having to visit different government departments for various matters.
He said unnecessary government intervention in industrial zones would be minimized, while maximum facilities would be provided to industrialists to carry out their business activities. He added that the establishment of new industrial zones was a pressing need to further expand Sindh’s industrial base. Steps would also be taken to entrust the ownership and administrative responsibilities of these new industrial zones to representative organizations of industrialists.
Jam Ikramullah Dharejo said improvement of infrastructure in industrial zones was also among the government’s priorities. For this purpose, it has been proposed that development funds be provided to the representative organizations of the respective industrial zones so that they could utilize these funds transparently, efficiently and effectively according to their needs and priorities.
He further said that steps would also be taken to provide land at reasonable and affordable prices to industrialists wishing to establish industries in the new industrial zones. This would help establish new industries in the province, increase investment, create new employment opportunities and further strengthen Sindh’s economy.
The provincial minister said that under the visionary leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the patronage of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the provincial government would continue to pursue policies and initiatives in the fields of industry, trade and investment aimed at facilitating industrialists, promoting businesses and creating new employment opportunities for the youth.
Jam Ikramullah Dharejo expressed his resolve to further strengthen effective coordination and mutual cooperation between the government and the industrial community. He said all relevant institutions would have to play their role effectively in resolving the issues faced by industrialists.
