February 15, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 16, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Tuesday the government would provide state-of-the-art facilities at the Textile City being set up at Karachi to help increase production and competitiveness of the products.

The prime minister stated this while chairing the board meeting of the Pakistan Textile City to review the implementation of the project. Textile Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema among others briefed the premier on the issue. Minister for Ports and Shipping, City Nazim Karachi and senior officials attended the meeting.

According to an official announcement the prime minister said that textile sector had substantially grown during the last few years.

He said that the government was taking measures to expand the capacity of this sector and the establishment new industrial units in the textile city would enhance the production of goods at lower costs.

“There is a need for modernization and use of new technologies in the textile sector to get better market access globally. The government will provide the infrastructure to facilitate expansion in the sector,” the prime minister said.

He emphasized the need for better coordination and planning by related departments and gave instructions for early implementation of the decisions taken by the federal and provincial governments to expedite the establishment of the textile city.

The prime minister was informed that 700 acres had been provided for the textile city. He gave directions for early handing over of remaining 500 acres to the Managing Board of Textile City and instructed the board to start the procedure for the land allotment to potential industrialists without any delay.

“A transparent mechanism should be adopted for allotment of land and all procedures in this regard should be followed,” he said. Mr Aziz appreciated the contribution of private sector in the project.