18 September 2004	Saturday	02 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Sept 17: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has urged the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to prepare a comprehensive proposal on the pattern of federal budget proposals 2004-05 so that the pace of economic activities could further be accelerated.

He assured the businessmen that the KCCI proposal would be implemented within 90 days of the submission date. Talking to a delegation of KCCI, led by its President Siraj Kassam Teli, at the Governor House on Friday, the premier recalled that 80 per cent of the KCCI proposals and suggestions for the 2004-05 budget had been incorporated in the budget because it was very precise and to the point, covering many economic issues.

According to a KCCI press release, the prime minister claimed that the events of 'My Karachi Exhibition' and Export Trophy organized by the chamber had helped a lot in improving Pakistan's image world-wide.

He said the government was ready to provide every possible incentives and benefits to the business community and it was up to the businessmen to play an active role in economic development.

He said that the government had decided to boost up the pace of industrialization process and intended to set up more industrial zones in which small and medium enterprises would be given top priority. He asked the Sindh governor and chief minister to give suggestions and proposals for the development of tourism activities in Karachi.