Infrastructure development: ‘Apparel park to be set up near motorway’

Chief minister says textile sector had a major share in the country’s exports.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday the government was setting up a Quaid-i-Azam Apparel Park near the motorway.

He said the project was of vital importance after GSP Plus status was granted to Pakistan by the European Union. He said Chinese company Shingdong Royai had invested billions of dollars in textile and energy sectors in the Punjab and would also invest in the infrastructure at the apparel park.

The chief minister said textile sector had a major share in the country’s exports. He said now that the GSP Plus status was granted to Pakistan, the government was investing in the textile sector to increase foreign exchange earnings and generate job opportunities.

He said the Royai group would also set up a textile zone at Faisalabad Industrial Estate. He asked that the design and development of the park be expedited. He said special attention would be paid to horticulture at the park. He said the Royai group would also set up a 70 megawatt coal power plant in Quaid-i-Azam Apparel Park.

Sharif said a skill development centre would also be set up at the park. Minister for Industries Chauhdary Muhammad Shafique informed the meeting that Royai group had assured investment of two billion dollars in Faisalabad Industrial Zone.

MPA Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Planning and Development chairman, Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park board of management president were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2014.