Staff Reporter
Lahore
Punjab Minister for Industries & Trade Mian Aslam Iqbal has said that Rs9.5 billion schemes have been prepared relating to promotion of SME sector and revival of cottage industry.
He stated this while presiding over a meeting at Civil Secretariat on Thursday in which matters pertaining to promotion of SME sector, revival of cottage industry and issuance of programmes for empowering the youth came under review.
Aslam Iqbal said that programmes for the provision of interest-free loans amounting to Rs6 billion has also been approved for enabling the skilled youth to launch their business and all these programmes will be initiated during current month. 60 percent population of Punjab consists of youth and by empowering them we will change the destiny of the country and nation, he added.
He said that Naya Pakistan will usher with good news of progress and prosperity for the people of Pakistan. The foundation of industrial progress revolution has been set with the establishment of new industrial zones and special economic zones, he maintained.
The provincial minister further said that Punjab has become an attractive place for investment. Investment exceeding one billion dollar has been done in industrial zones of Faisalabad.
Agreements for making new investment amounting to billions of dollars have been made with foreign investors, he stated.
Mian Aslam said that the obstacles confronting investment process have been removed and the whole process has also been eased up. We don’t believe in making tall claims rather in undertaking practical steps. The fruits of decisions of government and steps taken for industrialization will soon come to surface.
Secretary Industries & Trade, Additional Secretary, DG Industries and concerned officers participated in the meeting.
