Advice to investors: Shift focus to livestock, urges minister

Punjab caretaker minister says measures being taken to resolve issues

LAHORE: Provincial caretaker minister for livestock, labour, human resource and transport Mian Nauman Kabir has said that short-term but concrete measures are being taken to surmount major issues to ensure sustainable growth.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), he said that private sector must shift its focus towards livestock and human resource development.

Measures are being undertaken to resolve the issues of labour so that it can play a fundamental role in industrial growth, he said, adding more opportunities would help tackle the issue of brain-drain.

The provincial minister said special attention is being given to the transport system, which is important to boost trade and economic activities.

Also speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said around 15% milk produced in the country is wasted in transportation, requiring instant remedies.

More chillers need to be established on farmlands, which can operate through joint ownership of farmers, he said, adding that chillers should be operated on a no-profit-no-loss basis through interest-free loans from the state, returnable in five-year time.

Javaid suggested that unused land should be provided to the farmers for their livestock and animal waste should be used for producing biomass, the fuel for generating electricity.

He said that rate of skilled manpower has increased by over 60% since 1990 and situation is worsening. A developing country like Pakistan cannot afford to continue losing skilled human resources that can turn the economy around, he said, adding those issues must be tackled on priority, which are forcing skilled manpower to migrate to the other destinations.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2018.

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