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| October 12, 2006 | Thursday | Ramazan 18, 1427 |
Pindi can become business hub: PM
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday said Rawalpindi had all the essential elements of becoming a hub of business activities for Northern Areas and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in pharmaceutical and poultry industries and the production of edible items.
The prime minister was talking to a delegation of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), led by Dr Hassan Sarosh Akram, which called on him here on Wednesday.
Mr Aziz called upon the traders and the business community to cooperate with the government for providing essential items to the people at reasonable prices during Ramazan.
He said the country had sufficient reserves of wheat, sugar, ghee and pulses, and the steady supply of these essential commodities was keeping the prices stable in the market.
The prime minister said the government had taken several measures including the setting up of price committees, provision of essential items at low prices at the utility stores and the appointment of price magistrates for monitoring rates to check profiteering and hoarding.
The provincial governments have also been asked to take necessary measures in this regard, he said.
Because of these steps taken by the government, the prime minister said, the prices of essential commodities had come down during the month of Ramazan.
On the delegation’s request, the prime minister ordered immediate provision of natural gas to Rawat Industrial Estate.
He said as part of the government’s campaign to impart skills to the youth, the federal government in coordination with the Punjab government, would help set up a polytechnic institute in Rawalpindi to meet the growing demand for trained manpower in the industry.
He said the government was making investor-friendly policies to create an enabling environment in the country, adding that the government’s policies of deregulation, privatisation and liberalisation coupled with continuity of policies and transparency had generated a conducive atmosphere for the private sector.
The prime minister said the government was committed to transferring the benefits of high economic growth to the people.
Rawalpindi District Nazim Raja Javed Ikhlas updated the prime minister on various development schemes being undertaken in the city.
He thanked the federal government for providing funds for mega projects such as the construction of airport road and clean drinking water schemes.
The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation appreciated the economic reforms introduced by the government which had increased business activity and created numerous job opportunities.
They also thanked the government for simplifying the taxation procedure and minimising the contact between taxpayers and tax authorities which had led to manifold increase in tax revenue.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Salman Shah, CBR chairman Abdullah Yousaf and senior government officials also attended the meeting.—APP
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