ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: Underlining the importance of advancement in the industrial sector for development and prosperity, Prime Minister Shaukat

Aziz on Friday said the government was focusing on development of skills, strengthening of infrastructure, value addition, better productivity and competitiveness for enhancing jobs and income generation opportunities.

Chairing a meeting to review goals and targets of the ministry of industries and production here, the prime minister said the industrial sector remained the engine for development and the government was facilitating the private sector to fully tap industrial potential of the country.

Mr Aziz asked the ministry to focus on development of SMEs, engineering sector, setting up of export processing zones, finalisation of industrial policy, auto policy and industrial statistics.

He asked the ministry to take industry specific initiatives and focus on horticulture, home appliances, sports and surgical goods and furniture industry.

The prime minister appreciated the launching of pilot projects in textile, silver, jewellery, ceramics and blue pottery under the "one village one product programme" to augment incomes and job creation in the rural areas and remote parts of the country.

"The objective is to increase non-farm income, reduce poverty and improve living standard of the people in the rural areas," the premier added.

He said to make the programme a success, the government was providing skills training and marketing facilities to workers of the rural areas, adding that the programme would be extended to all parts of the country.

The prime minister emphasised that industrial strategy should be finalised soon, as it would give a sense of direction and confidence to investors.

The prime minister was informed that both the policies were under preparation and would be finalised by October this year. Mr Aziz also asked the ministry to work with the Federal Bureau of Statistics to improve industrial statistics.

The prime minister said government is following its privatisation policy and some more industrial units would be offered for privatisation. He said the privatisation of Pakistan Steel would be carried out in the light of Supreme Court's judgment.

Industries and Production Minister Jehangir Khan Tareen informed the prime minister about the major achievements of the ministry. He mentioned merger of old state-owned enterprises, reconstitution of their board of directors and creation of new companies, approval of strategies for marble and granite, gems and jewelry and dairy sectors.

He pointed out that 21 sick units had been revived at the Karachi Export Processing Zone.—APP