October 08, 2006	Sunday	Ramazan 14, 1427

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LAHORE, Oct 7: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has called upon the business community to invest in quality and innovative products and improve its efficiency for success in new economy.

Speaking as the chief guest at the launch of the first-ever battery-operated three-wheelers in the country at the Quaid-i-Azam Industrial Estate, Lahore Township, here on Saturday morning, he said that the days of becoming billionaire through loans, licences and SROs were over and those believing in amassing wealth through such means were finding it hard in the atmosphere of competition.

He said that there was economic and industrial progress in the country due to the policies and reforms of the government. The CBR had been restructured and deficit in public sector organizations had been brought under control. The government had avoided cheap popularity policies to which the people had been used to in the past and gradually pulled out of business. It was now focusing only on the development of infrastructure, north-south corridor, roads airports and transport.

He said that economy was growing as a result of government policies. As many as 3.5 million fans had been sold in the country last year. Motorcycle production had increased from 100,000 to 600,000 per annum and Honda alone had decided to increase its production to half a million within a year. There had been a 23 per cent increase in tax returns and 36 per cent increase in tax remittances this year following the simplification of the taxation system.

He said that there was a marked increase in demand for skilled workers as a result of growing industrialisation and investment. The government had made arrangements to train half a million skilled workers through the technical education and vocational training authority this year for meeting the demand. The universities would also turn out 10,000 professionals. He said that there was development and progress in all walks of life but media was creating an atmosphere of despondency and talking about non-existent unemployment and distrust.

The governor appreciated the launch of environment-friendly battery operated three-wheeler and its making of its availability possible on two-year lease by the Bank of Punjab for a down-payment of Rs20,000.

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Shahid Hassan Sheikh that environment-friendly transport had become the need of the hour because pollution was increasing with the increase in number of motorvehicles. The battery-operated rickshaws and loaders would become popular due to their low-prices and being environment-friendly.

Ramna Motors Director and former LCCI president Mian Shafqat Ali said that 99 per cent of battery-operated three-wheeler comprised steel and pipes available in the country. Only the deep cycle batteries, motors and chargers were not being produced in the country. He said that the batteries of the three-wheeler had a two year life and could be charged overnight from the domestic power supply line for running it for 100 kilometers.

He said that the battery-operated three-wheeler should be included in the self-employment scheme so that people could get bank loans for its purchase. He said that the company would also provide the facility of conversion of two-stroke rickshaw into battery.

Quaid-i-Azam Industrial Estate Management Board Chairman Mian Nauman Kabir said that 85 per cent development of phase-one of the estate had been completed so far.