Businessmen support new industrial zone

Piece of land has been identified for the project

ISLAMABAD: The Chakwal and Islamabad Chambers of Commerce and Industry have called on the government to expedite work on establishing a new industrial zone in the Chakwal district according to directives of the premier.

The demand was made during the visit of a delegation of the Chakwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the ICCI, led by its president, Khurram Kamran, said a statement issued on Monday.

Kamran said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during a visit to Chakwal, had given instructions for the construction of a new industrial zone along the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway near Nila Dullah interchange, but no progress could be made so far.

He said about 500 acres of barren land in the area was identified as the most suitable place for the industrial zone as it was very cheap and provided easy access as well.

According to Kamran, the establishment of a new industrial zone in Chakwal will attract fresh investment, promote industrialisation and create jobs in the area.

It was discussed that Islamabad, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Attock and Jhelum chambers of commerce should join hands to launch a strong campaign for the establishment of the industrial zone.

Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Khalid Iqbal Malik said despite clear directives of the prime minister and a joint proposal for the project by the Chakwal Chamber and the ICCI to the Ministry of Industries no tangible progress had been made by the government.

According to Malik, the Potohar region needed a new industrial zone for industrialisation and investment and Chakwal offered the best place for the project.

He said Pakistan had a great potential to promote trade and exports with China, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries and new industrial zones in the region would help in realising these objectives.

“Chakri is also being considered for a new industrial estate, but due to security considerations related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in the area, there is no space for a new industrial estate.”

Chakwal was a suitable alternative option for the project, Malik said, adding CPEC would initiate more trade and investment activities in the region and in this scenario a new industrial zone was of paramount importance.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2016.

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