LAHORE: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar has said the government, as part of its efforts to revive the pandemic-hit economy, was developing a comprehensive strategy for restoring activities of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), especially Allama Iqbal Industrial City, in consultation with stakeholders.
Azhar, while meeting Mian Kashif Ashfaq, Chairman Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC), said the federal government was also working on the revival of the textile industry.
“Despite the huge challenge of debt, Prime Minister Imran Khan prefers to provide relief to people suffering from lockdown restrictions,” Azhar was quoted as saying by The News.
He added the government had introduced the biggest stimulus package in the history of the country to help the nation in this difficult time amid coronavirus pandemic.
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The minister said just one programme was not sufficient to help all segments of the society, and therefore, the government was introducing multiple programmes to assist all sectors. Azhar said the government was fully focused and committed to facilitating the people.
“The provision of medical facilities and food to the people is the topmost priority of the government and for that, the government will pursue the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to release their aid amounting to $600 million on different counts on a fast track basis,” he said.
The federal minister said all the provinces and federation were on the same page in determining the essential industries that needed to be operational in the lockdown situation, adding the industries providing raw materials and inputs to these industries would also be kept open. In addition, he said, the government would ensure the transportation of labour forces to these industries.
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Ashfaq expressed his satisfaction over the performance of the present government and lauded the prime minister’s efforts for supporting the business community at this time of ordeal.
Ashfaq said he was much optimistic that as soon as international markets reopen after the coronavirus pandemic was over, Pakistan, especially its SEZs, including Allama Iqbal Industrial City, a prioritised Special Economic Zone of FIEDMC, would stimulate the export base of Pakistan’s industries, besides bringing billions of rupees foreign investment in the country.
He said currently FIEDMC was also facing hurdles to accomplish necessary tasks. The completion of these tasks was important in order to create economic activities and to help the country boost its exports, Ashfaq said, adding that in fact, a whopping $2 billion worth of export orders were yet to be materialised due to the COVID-19 outbreak.