Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz presided over a meeting to review mapping of the industrial areas in which it has been principally decided to establish Punjab Economic Corridor Development Authority. CM directed to undertake mapping according to the international industrial demand. CM ordered adopting a comprehensive course of action in collaboration with TEVTA, Industry, Board of Investment, PSIC, Urban Unit and other Institutions. A briefing was given about the small, medium and big industries during the meeting and proposals were also submitted for their development. Nawaz was directed to increase the proportion of women workers in the job sector. Complete mapping and data of industry in every division including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Bahawalpur and Rawalpindi. CM directed to make the environment safe and integral part of every industry and sought a comprehensive plan for the promotion of industries in the province. Maryam Nawaz directed to formulate a plan keeping in view the development of exports and re-ended industries along with the international market. The proposal to undertake zoning of the industrial corridor was discussed during the meeting. The proposal to undertake development of the labour force, job training and new projects for professional and skilled development was also reviewed and approval for the rehabilitation of the Cutlery Institute in Wazirabad was granted. The proposal to establish an industrial business complex and expo centre for the marketing of items near the cities along with the upgradation of the industrial infrastructure and establishing new infrastructure was reviewed during the meeting. The proposal to provide cutting, sizing and polishing facilities of marble and gym stone industry along with establishing a special economic zone on the western route of CPEC in the area of Fateh Jhang was reviewed during the meeting. CM stated “Besides development of industrial corridors, transport and roads are highly essential. A large foreign exchange can be earned by giving facility to the industry and its development.” CM directed to constitute a value chain based infrastructure for the distribution, production, logistics and marketing along with paying a special attention on the construction of enter city roads and farm to market roads. Maryam Nawaz appreciated the proposal to establish a design, standards and testing institute adding that with the establishment of this institute the institute will be provided testing facility at the national level instead of international level. The Urban Unit department gave a briefing to the CM about the industry mapping. It was informed that 10 lakh labour force is working in the manufacturing industry in Punjab.
There is only 1 percent large industry in Punjab and the textile sector is the biggest as it has 11258 units. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Former Senator Pervez Rashid, Provincial Minister for Information Azma Bokhari, Provincial Minister for Industries and Trade Ch. Shafay Hussain, Provincial Minister for Agriculture Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chairman P&D, Secretaries of Industry, Finance, Agriculture, CEO PBIT, CEO Urban Unit and other relevant officials attended the meeting.
