Observer Report
Faisalabad
Punjab Minister for Commerce & Industries Mian Aslam Iqbal has said that the government is transforming Punjab into a hub of trade and economic activities. Within a short span of two years, he said that government had started work on 13 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial estates.
Addressing the 34th Annual General Meeting of Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) here on Sunday, he said that government is fully committed to expedite growth of commerce to maximum possible level by using all available means. Owing to the global economic meltdown as result of the Covid-19, a large number of expat workers are expected to return to Pakistan, therefore, the government has prepared a plan to accommodate the workforce in the economic zone in addition to creating jobs for locals. We are establishing a mega SEZ at Muzaffargarh on area covering 20,000 acres which can be expanded up to 50,000 acres in the future, he added.
Mian Aslam said that under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Punjab government is committed to facilitate industrialists and investors for improving economic activities and increasing employment opportunities. Faisalabad is the central hub of textile sector, with a large share in exports of different textile products; therefore, country’s biggest expo center will be established at Faisalabad, he maintained.
The Provincial Minister for Commerce and Industries said that government has strong believes that economic revolution in the country can only be possible through trade promotion and all possible support to export sector is being extended to achieve optimum growth. Textile industry is the backbone of economy and remedial measures to overcome the challenges are being taken to uplift this sector, he stated.
Mian Aslam said that in order to keep industrial wheels moving during pandemic times, Government had taken several measures including easy financing for payment of wages and liquidation of outstanding refunds. No country could achieve economic targets without the due role of exporters.