‘Economic hubs to be set up in Punjab’
Industrial sector struggling with modest 2.3% growth. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Punjab Minister for Industries and Trade Mian Aslam Iqbal said that mapping has been done in collaboration with the Urban Unit for setting up new industries in Punjab.
Speaking to industrialists and businesspeople of Punjab who called on him and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Trade and Investment Abdul Razaq Dawood on Saturday, he said new economic hubs will be set up in the province.
Problems faced by industrialists and other issues were discussed during the meeting. The trade minister gave a detailed briefing on promotion of industrialisation in Punjab and government’s future strategy in this regard.
The PM’s adviser said, “I am the representative of industrialists in Islamabad and I will help solve all their genuine problems.”
He further said that duty on import on raw material for industries was being reduced by six per cent from January 1, 2021. “The reduction in import duty on raw material will benefit the industry.” He said that industrialists should give suggestions for long-term planning for industrialisation. “State-of-the-art testing labs should also be established.”
He suggested that the business community take benefit of the government’s temporary economic refinance facility for importing machinery.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2020.