PESHAWAR: Advisor to Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms, Dr Ishrat Hussain said that government supports private sector as driver of economic growth and will provide incentives to KP business community to promote industrialization, economic prosperity and development of the province.
The PM aide PM was addressing as a keynote speaker at a seminar titled: “Investment opportunities in KP: Driving sustainable development in the province”, held under auspices of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in collaboration of GIZ on Wednesday.
Advisor to KP Chief Minister on Industries Abdul Karim Khan, provincial minister for Information, Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, Advisor to KP CM Himatullah Khan, President SCCI Faiz Muhammad Faizi, former president FPCCI Ghanzafar Bilour, Saeed Khan CEO KPEZ, Shandana Gulzar, Parliamentary Secretary and representatives of relevant stakeholders, members of business community, importers and exporters were present on the occasion.
Mr Bernhard Schlagheck, German Ambassador in Pakistan said that despite security and other challenges, there was immense potential to make investment in different sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were not tapped properly. He asked the investors to make investment in all those potential sectors in KP.
Senator Nauman Wazir said that KP is producing low-cost electricity but receiving electricity on high charges. He, however, said the province will soon get electricity at the cheapest rate of Rs10 per unit very shortly. “KP people, especially industrial workers are very talented and hard worker, which needed to be properly trained”, he stressed, added that there should be allocated proper fund for skilled development of workers. Senator Wazir said that initiatives had been made to curb smuggling and illegal trade on Torkham border. He stressed the need for taking practical steps for the development of mines and mineral sector.
Leader of United Business Group, Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour while speaking at concluding session said that the trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan had declined at $ six million from $ 3billion. He suggested the signing of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republic countries.
Ilyas Bilour criticized that the PTI led the government to have economically failed, adding that despite the passage of six years of rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, people of the province had yet to see any change as the PTI completely deviated from its pre-election promises.
He took credit for passage of 18th constitutional amendment; saying that ANP led government had really delivered the people of KP during its last government in the province. He congratulated the GIZ and SCCI for successful arranging the investment conference in Islamabad.
