‘Punjab offers huge scope for investment’

Hamza discusses collaboration in farm, environment sectors with Dutch envoy

LAHORE:

Punjab has ample opportunities for investment in the agriculture, food processing, food security, environment and other sectors, Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz Sharif highlighted during discussion with the Netherlands Ambassador Wouter Plomp on promotion of bilateral trade and investment.

The situation arising in the wake of climate changes and the European Union’s GSP Plus conventions for preferential trade also came under discussion during the meeting when the ambassador called on Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz on Wednesday.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in agriculture, food security, food processing, environment and other fields.

The chief minister noted that good relations exist between Pakistan and the the Netherlands. He thanked the Netherlands for its support for Pakistan’s GPS Plus status and pointed out that Punjab has ample opportunities for investment in agriculture, food processing, food security, environment and other sectors.

The Netherlands has expertise in the fields of agriculture, food processing and water management, he remarked and added that Punjab is an agricultural province and the development of the agrarian economy is a priority.

The CM explained that the technical assistance of the Netherlands in the agricultural sector would benefit the farmers of Punjab.

Climate change is a daunting challenge for the whole world and Pakistan is also facing the issue, he mentioned and emphasised that the United Nations needs to take urgent joint action to address the challenge.

Ambassador Plomp stated that there are many opportunities for cooperation in the agricultural sector of Punjab and expressed the desire to promote partnership with the Punjab government.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz ordered the administrative machinery to remain on alert round the clock in view of the monsoon season and risk of floods.

Pressing over a meeting, he asked the divisional commissioners to complete their preparations to cope with the threat of urban flooding and deluge. Timely evacuation of people settled on the river bed should be the priority, he said.

He also stressed the need for removing encroachments from river beds.

Public representatives should also be taken on board to ensure timely evacuation of people from the river beds, he added.

Weather conditions are highly unpredictable and unusual; therefore, the level of preparation also requires extraordinary measures, he said.

The preparedness should be conspicuous at the grassroots and any loophole should be plugged without delay, he said.

The CM said the real challenge is to execute the plan and made it clear that he would take stern action if people face any difficulty.

He said all provincial and federal agencies concerned should perform their duties with the best coordination.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2022.