New industrial policy draft prepared

Industries ministry puts up draft on its website, solicits input from all stakeholders.

ISLAMABAD: The government has prepared a draft of new industrial policy and put it on website of the industries ministry, soliciting input from all stakeholders, Minister for Industries and Production, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, told the National Assembly on Friday.

Replying to questions, he said that the new industrial policy would be announced in next two to three months. A provision for the promotion of small industries was also being included in the policy, he added.

He said that heavy industries recorded growth in the past two years and about 704 industrial units were established in the country during that period. He said that the government was taking steps for overcoming electricity and gas outages, the main hurdle in the smooth functioning of industries.

He said that an export investment support fund worth Rs40 billion had been set up with a view to promoting industrialisation, value addition and promotion of exports.

To a question, he said that a plan was afoot to set up departmental stores in all major cities of the country to provide maximum facilities to people, adding that at present under the policy, one utility store must be set up in every union council of the country. However, he said more stores were being opened in urban areas.The minister said the government was trying to spread the network to far flung areas, but there were certain criteria for setting up a utility store which included presence of a bank or post office.

Bijarani said that 552,000 tons of sugar was supplied to utility stores in 2010. He said that imported sugar was being supplied to the stores and its quality was up to the mark, adding that no comprise would be made on quality.

The minister said that sugar was being sold at Rs60 per kg at the stores and no increase in prices was being considered.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2011.