LARKANA, May 10: The district coordination officer of Larkana said that an industrial estate would be set up here with the objective of opening job opportunities for local youth and boosting country’s economic growth.

Mr Abdul Aziz Uqaili was speaking at a meeting to assess the business potentialities in Larkana held between the managing director of Site, Karachi, and members of the Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Saturday. He said that atmosphere for initiating joint ventures was quite suitable for setting up industries in Larkana.

He said that the business community had a golden opportunity to invest and establish fertiliser, pesticides, milk and drug plants and industries in Larkana.

The managing director of Site, Karachi, Abdul Rasheed Solangi, informed the meeting that the government was interested in establishing three new industrial zones in Larkana, Khairpur and Dhabiji (Thatta).

He said around 300 to 500 acres of land would be required to establish an industrial zone in Larkana, while the government would provide basic infrastructure and would declare the area a Tax Free Zone for 10 years. He said this would attract industrialists and entrepreneurs to come and invest and establish industries at the three industrial sites.

He said that Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Industries and Dr Faryal Talpur were taking keen interest in establishing the industrial estate in Larkana. He informed the meeting that in that connection a seminar would be held on May 13, in Karachi for getting suggestions from local and other industrialists.

The meeting agreed on establishing the proposed industrial zone at the site of old Allied Textile Mills near Indus Highway on the outskirts of Larkana. Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Hafiz Suleman Shaikh, Sindh Abadgar Board Vice-President Gaad Hussain Mahesar, Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry former president Mohammad Azam Shaikh and other officials attended the meeting.