KHUZDAR: Balochistan Chief Secretary Dr Akhtar Nazeer has said that model projects would be launched jointly with the private sector for promotion of industries in the province.

Presiding over a meeting at the office the Lasbela Industrial Estates Development Authority (Lieda), he said the step would help boost local economy and provide jobs to the people of Balochistan.

Secretary Power Pasand Khan Buledi, Kalat Commissioner Hafiz Tahir Kakar, Lasbela Deputy Commissioner Shabbir Ahmed Mengal and Industries Secretary Noor Mohammad Jogazai also attend the meeting.

Dr Nazeer said: “Lieda should play its role in Chinese firm’s desalination plant project.” He directed the officers concerned to prepare a plan for the development of an industrial zone and said the provincial government would fully cooperate in this regard.

Lieda Managing Director Aslam Tareen and the industries secretary briefed the meeting about the authority’s role for the development of the industrial zone.

“Lasbela is the economic hub of Balochistan and gateway of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) project,” the industries secretary said, adding that the Lasbela has a large number of industries and playing a vital role in revenue generation for Balochistan.

He said as result of the Balochistan government’s struggle the federal finance minister had approved the Hub special economic zone and the provincial finance department had allocated Rs100 million for developing infrastructure, including construction and repair of roads.

He said Lieda would hire a consultancy firm in the first week of April and tenders would be issued in two weeks. The business community had been invited to join this project, which would be completed till June 30 this year, he added.

The meeting was informed that the minister secretariat had approved the industrial development project and Rs300m would be released for it.

The mining sector is playing a key role in development of industrial sector.

The chief secretary was informed that 200,000 tonnes of marble was supplied to Karachi from Balochistan daily.

“The provincial government has established Gadani Marble City to promote mining in the province.”

The chief secretary directed Lieda to work on the feasibility for the water and sewerage treatment plant. He said grey water, not clean drinking water, was used by industries across the world.

He directed the authorities to register labourers working in Hub industries with the help of the Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2019