November 24, 2006	Friday	Ziqa'ad 2, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday approved the creation of Engineering Development Authority of Pakistan (EDAP) to replace the Engineering Development Board (EDB).

The move will help develop the engineering sector on modern lines to make focused efforts to develop engineering sector with the objective to position Pakistan as one of the global leaders in selected engineering goods.

“The EDAP being a legal institution will enjoy more autonomy as against the EDB which had limited focus with little legal authority,” officials told Dawn.

The decision came at a meeting chaired by the prime minister on Thursday also reviewed the performance of the EDB, an official hand out issued here said.

The meeting was informed that Pakistan has a competitive advantage due to the availability of skilled labour and low manufacturing cost enabling our industrial sector to become contract manufacturer for world renowned companies in specific items.The premier emphasised the need for value addition and technology up-gradation to diversify and increase exports saying that the government will facilitate them to tap the regional and international markets.

A presentation was made on the new initiatives taken by the engineering sector.