January 13, 2003	Monday	Ziqa'ad 9, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: The industrial production has shown an upward trend in the last quarter and contributed significantly towards the national GDP.

This was stated by Federal Minister for Industries Liaqat Jatoi while talking to a group of newsmen at the general council meeting of the ruling PML-Q on Saturday.

Jatoi said that an agreement of iron ore exploration had been reached between the government of Balochistan and PPL which would save the country one million dollars in foreign exchange.

He said that policies were being reviewed in order to encourage exports and steady the country’s import bill.

He said a double shift had been introduced in Toyota car plant to enhance its production for the benefit of users.

He said expansion in the Pakistan Steel Mills had also been planned to enhance its annual sales to over Rs20 billion. A feasibility for the proposed expansion was being prepared in collaboration with foreign experts.

Similarly, he said, with the going into operation the closed factories in Sindh, the cement production was on course to reaching its optimum level. This, he hoped, would encourage the construction industry and create more job opportunities.

The policy on export promotion zones is also being reviewed, particularly the levy of sales tax is being reconsidered for withdrawal, he said.