Jam Kamal. PHOTO: FILE
He shared this on Friday while inaugurating Chromite Processing Unit at Muslim Bagh initiated by Balochistan Development Authority (BDA) at a cost of Rs108 million.
“The government is fostering economic activities in remote areas of the province through vacancies in production sector,” said Kamal.
The CM directed special handling of the processing unit in order to keep it functional for a long-standing period and ensure public private partnership.
BDA Chairman Major (retd) Akbar Lashari briefed the CM regarding capacity of Chromite Processing Unit. “100 tons Chromite will be processed in this unit and will be helpful in fostering provincial chromite business,” he said.
Local tribal chieftains lauded the initiative added the Chromite Processing Unit would expand private businesses and stabilise economy. They also urged the CM to provide jobs to local residents and steps to boost Chromite business in Balochistan.
Industrial zones under CPEC
Over one million different jobs would be required in Balochistan with 12 proposed industrial zones under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), said the CM.
He expressed this during a meeting with Hubco Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khalid Mansoor, Hubco Power Holding Limited CEO Rohail Mohammad and other officials.
The meeting reviewed implementation of 1230 MW coal fire power constructed at Gadani as joint venture of Hubco and China Power Company. Government of Balochistan is a 3 per cent shareholder in net profit of the power project.
Hubco CEO has agreed the partnership of the government.
Kamal said that the government has agreed to utilise efforts in energy projects included in CPEC’s agenda. He also emphasised Chinese assistance in skill development sector.
“The government is interested to employ skillful people for the proposed industrial zones in Balochistan,” said the CM.
Talking on provincial capacity to handle national and foreign investment, Kamal said, “Coastal, mining and energy sectors have investment opportunities along with exploration of oil and gas in the province.”
He added that national and international companies have unique opportunities of investment in the province due to widespread landscape and natural resources in Balochistan.
Kamal also invited Hubco and China Power Company to invest in energy, water and mining sectors of the province.
Expressing interest in Balochistan’s water and mining sectors, Hubco CEO said, “Currently, we are conducting surveys on wind and solar energy projects.”
He added that Hubco and China Power Company have invested $2 billion in Gadani coal power project fulfilling energy needs of the province and the country.
Mansoor informed the CM about 40 local individuals trained in China and Pakistan after initiating coal power project added possibility of jobs for 6,000 local residents in the project.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2019.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ