January 09, 2007	Tuesday	Zilhaj 18, 1427

KARACHI, Jan 8: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday that the federal government had approved a five-year plan for development of engineering industry and that local and foreign investors would be provided all possible facilitation.

Addressing a ceremony in connection with inauguration of Assembling Plant of Daewoo Company here on Monday, the premier said Pakistan would be made a hub of engineering industry.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, federal ministers and members of provincial cabinet were also present.

The prime minister went on to say that the government was making all-out efforts to make Pakistan a centre of engineering industry and steps were being taken in a well-planned manner.

He said: “We have formally approved a five-year plan and we will ensure continuity of the government policies.”

The prime minister said government needs a well-trained labour for technical sectors, and the government was working on a long-term policy.

He said to achieve these targets, we are setting up polytechnic institutes all around the country.

The prime minister said after the establishment of this plant now buses and trucks would also be assembled in Pakistan, which was a good omen.

The prime minister assured that there would be consistency and continuity in policies that "we will leave no stone unturned in adjusting policies to the better, keeping the broad consistent direction"."This is the part of our vision to make Pakistan a hub for global engineering products and global engineering industry", the prime minister declared, adding together with cooperation of the private sector, the government would make the policy framework and provide a good, sound micro-economic environment.He said it is up to the private sector to build factories, to produce goods, to take technology from wherever they can in the world as we are an open society and produce goods which would sell here and overseas and build a Pakistan which would be modern, enlightened, progressive and peaceful.

“We have tried over the years to diversify our industrial base from the traditional industries which are still very important, like textile, leather to the engineering industry which adds value, creates jobs and has a greater demand on skills of the workforce", he added.—Online/APP