January 14, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 13, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 13: Sindh Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination, Dr Sohrab Khan Sarki, describing traders as the backbone of the country’s economy, has said that the government was taking steps to provide maximum facilities to them.

“The pursuance of sound and effective economic policies has helped improve country’s image internationally,” said the minister while speaking at a reception given in his honour here at a local hotel on Thursday by the Central Association of Traders, Thal (Jacobabad).

Sohrab Sarki said these policies had enhanced the industrial capacity in the province. “The foreign reserves had also jumped to $17 billion, showing steadfastness of the country in following these policies consistently,” he added.

He said with the revolutionary steps and reforms introduced by the country, more employment opportunities were being generated which, he hoped, would lead to improvement in the people’s standard of living.

He also said that steps were under way to provide facilities to the local and foreign investors under one-window. “The Investment Board was preparing recommendations in this regard,” he added.

A separate counter of NADRA would be established for women in Thal, he announced.—APP