News From : DagangHalal.com (24 Dec 2009)
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the government is taking all out measures for the promotion of investment by creating conducive atmosphere in the province to encourage the investors.
He said that there is a wide scope of investment in livestock, agriculture and other sectors and Punjab Investment Board is playing an important role for the promotion of investment.
He was presiding over a meeting of Punjab Board of Investment and Trade to review the performance of the board and measures taken for promotion of investment here on Friday. Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of Agriculture and Industries Departments, Vice Chairman Punjab Investment Board, Chief Executive PAMCO and officers concerned were present.
The CM said that Punjab is rich in natural resources and there are vast opportunities of investment in different sectors. He said that a proactive investment board has been set up for this purpose comprising professionals and experts in industries and other sectors. He said that security situation of the country has adversely affected the performance of different sectors and also left a negative impact on foreign investment. However, he said, efforts should be continued for the promotion of investment and maximum facilities should be extended to investors.
He said that the Punjab government could earn huge foreign exchange through development of livestock and agriculture sectors under public-private partnership. He said that Malaysia is currently importing 60 percent Halal meat from India while other Islamic countries are also importing this meat from various countries.
He said that Punjab can also export Halal meat to these countries by setting up meat processing plants by utilizing modern technology and there is a need for promotion of public-private partnership in this regard in a transparent manner. He said that the Punjab government has also taken revolutionary measures for the uplift of livestock sector in Cholistan and a sum of Rs25 crore has been allocated for this purpose so that Cholistanis could also participate in the development of livestock sector in their area.
He said that the Punjab government has completed the project of setting up of IT labs in more than 4000 schools of the province with the cooperation of international companies and this model should be replicated for the promotion of public-private partnership in livestock and agriculture sectors and maximum encouragement should be extended to investors.