KARACHI, Feb 7: The Sindh Governor Mohammadmian Soomro has said on Thursday that the present government was giving leadership role to the private sector at the federal and provincial levels.

Speaking at the Corporate Excellence Awards 2000 of the Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) at a local hotel the Governor said that the government has great faith in the professional capabilities and leadership qualities of the private sector and is associating them at different levels.

The government, he said, was rationalizing labour laws and other regulations to create an environment where businessmen and private sector can perform more efficiently.

He spelt out the strategy of the government that has taken up reforms and long-term projects in every field during last two years.

Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited was declared the winner of the Corporate Excellence Award for 2000 in the business and industrial category while Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari and Company was judged the best corporate company in financial sector.

In business and industrial category five companies were given certificates which were Kohinoor Weaving Mills, Sitara Chemical Industries, Rafhan Maize Products, Millat Tractors and Thal Jute Mills. Orix Leasing Pakistan was given the certificate of excellence in the financial sector.

Syed Masoud Ali Naqvi, the President of the MAP in his address of welcome dwelt on the role of the Association since 1964 when it was set up in development of management practices and economic development of the country.

He said the awards of excellence were instituted in 1982 and since then companies are being judged every year and the best companies are rewarded for their performance.

Mr Naqvi hoped that award distribution ceremony for the excellence in 2001 will be held in the current year.

Syed Mumtaz Saeed, Chairman of the Corporate Excellence Awards sub Committee informed the audience of the criteria drawn up for judging the performance of the companies.