FAISALABAD: President Arif Alvi said that Faisalabad has become the centre stage of trade and business activities in the wake of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Addressing the Export Excellence Award ceremony organised by the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) here on Thursday, he said that Pakistan is expanding its business ties with more nations and signing trade agreements with them. However, a corruption-free environment must be provided in order to materialise them.

He said the energy crisis is a major issue which has hampered our growth rate and its root causes must be identified to avoid recurrence. With the gradual improvement in law and order situation, investors are fully prepared to invest in Pakistan and we must facilitate them through good policies, Alvi added.

The president also underlined the importance of tourism and said that it is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy. He mentioned the need to develop Gilgit-Baltistan and other attractive sites in the region to attract visitors. Alvi further highlighted major of Buddhist and Sikh holy sites which could help promote religious tourism in the country.

He said that he would request Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Faisalabad at an appropriate time to interact with the people and local business community.

Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Mian Aslam Iqbal also addressed the function and promised that provincial departments would resolve genuine issues of the business community on priority basis.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2019