ISLAMABAD, July 29: The government is expected to finalize a 10-year incentive package for the industrial chemical sector besides relocation of chemical plants from China and the Far Eastern countries to enhance local production and export of value added products.
This was the gist of a seminar on “Chemical Vision 2013” organized by Expert Advisory Cell (EAC) presided over by Industries Minister Liaqat Ali Khan Jatoi and attended by representatives of the leading chemical and industrial sector.
A set of recommendations was delivered to the participants during the meeting. It said a comprehensive and consistent industrial chemical vision and policy is necessary for a period of at least next 10 years.
It recommended the existing infrastructure at Port Qasim, EPZs, special and other industrial zones should be made self sufficient as far as requirements of power, gas, water and other relevant off-site facilities such as, waste water treatment are concerned.
The participants recommended to the government to increase spending on the infrastructure projects with a view that additional infrastructure would reduce the project cost and enhance their viability.
They said the prospects of setting up industrial zones along motorway should be seriously examined.
For technology up-gradation, the participants recommended development of technological base through local research and development.
The participants asked the government to design and build strong industrial and engineering base through setting up design and engineering institutes so that they can provide local engineering industry with the engineering fabrication drawings.
Foreign designing and engineering firms would be asked to provide fabrication drawings of the required plants and machinery.
A technology development fund would be created to encourage local scientists and researchers for carrying out the research and development work.
Scientists and Researchers would be offered market-based salaries, and common facilities centres for the SMEs would be built and financed by the government to provide services to large number of SMEs which may share a little portion of the cost of service.
Any restriction for obtaining foreign technology would be completely done away with. PCSIR shall become more productive and should have scientists and industrialists, etc., on their select committees. The research conducted by PCSIR would be industry-oriented.