Sindh chief minister backs business-friendly policies

Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah underscored the importance of industrial growth as a cornerstone for economic prosperity, highlighting that the government's revenue will grow as businesses thrive. "Promoting industrial growth should be a primary objective," he remarked during a meeting with key representatives of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at the Governor's House in Lahore, according to a press statement released on Tuesday.

The meeting, organised by FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, was attended by FPCCI Vice President and Regional Chairman Zaki Aijaz, Sindh South Vice President Abdul Mohamin Khan, and Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan. Shah pledged his government's commitment to supporting industrialists, suggesting the allocation of free land as an incentive to promote industrialisation.

"I will visit the FPCCI office to reassure business leaders that the Sindh government stands by those who work hard. We are also working on fostering public-private partnerships," Shah stated, as per the statement.

Aijaz proposed establishing business facilitation centres in Sindh and forming organisations similar to Punjab's Industrial Estate Development and Management Company and Faisalabad's Industrial Estate Development & Management Company. Shah lauded these suggestions and assured that Sindh would adopt successful models from other provinces.

The chief minister highlighted that industrial estates have already been developed in Khairpur and Larkana, attracting interest from Chinese investors. Addressing concerns over the high land prices in the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone, Shah pledged efforts to explore price reductions to make the zone more accessible for industries.

FPCCI officials also raised issues such as the need to abolish the gas infrastructure development cess and to improve the road network and industrial estates in Karachi and other parts of Sindh. They urged the government to establish district-level committees, led by commissioners, to collaborate with FPCCI on economic initiatives.

Aijaz further outlined FPCCI's Vision 2030, aimed at boosting Pakistan's exports to $100 billion by focusing on district and sectoral economies. As per the statement, Shah assured the delegation that he would brief Sindh's provincial minister for industry on the proposals and outcomes of the meeting, reiterating his administration's support for business-friendly policies.