Category: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan is committed to promoting economic cooperation through regional integration for achieving the goal of poverty reduction. Addressing the 15th ministerial meeting of Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said for the collective benefit of the region, it is important the governments of member countries work towards betterment of their people.

The prime minister said CAREC is an important programme that encourages regional countries to develop areas – mainly physical network, infrastructure, peace, stability and economic development. He mentioned the forum was significant in poverty reduction by facilitating trade policies among its member countries. Welcoming delegates from 200 countries, he expressed confidence that their attendance at the CAREC meeting would help realise the dream of region’s prosperity and development. The prime minister said Pakistan, which became the member of CAREC in 2010, was pro-active in facilitating projects critical to sustainable development. Proposing measures for the promotion of CAREC’s vision, he urged the inclusion of experts from CAREC countries and sharing their expertise for intra-regional transfer of knowledge.

He said Pakistan complies with international standards in trade activities and mentioned the improved economic conditions of the country.The prime minister suggested that along with Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, CAREC countries could work on the ‘CAREC Aviation and Open Skies Agreement’.He appreciated that CAREC mobilised $29 billion for development projects in the region. He hoped that the mid-term review of CAREC in next 10 years would prove as an opportunity to fast track economic cooperation.Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan believed CAREC as a premier organisation to promote cooperation among member countries, particularly in areas of energy, transportation and trade policy facilitation.He said Pakistan is a key facilitator of CAREC, bridging South Asia and Central Asia.The situation had never been more challenging, however, we are cognizant of dealing with it effectively, he added.The prime minister mentioned that Pakistan government was experiencing an economic revival at present, with a greater momentum gained in energy, transport and infrastructure activities under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).He hoped that besides Pakistan, the benefits of CPEC would be multiplied for the CAREC countries.

LAHORE – Provincial Minister for Finance, Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha Wednesday presided over the first meeting of steering committee of Punjab Small Industry Corporation at Civil Secretariat.

Minister for Industries & Trade Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique, Chief Administrator Punjab Investment Board Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, Secretary Industry Khalid Sherdil, Managing Director Punjab Small Industries besides officers concerned of TEVTA, Agriculture, Finance, Planning & Development and Information Technology Board were present on the occasion.
The aim of the meeting was to evolve a strategy for the promotion of small and medium level enterprises in collaboration with Turk company KOSGEB and Punjab government in the province.

Giving a briefing, Secretary Industries informed that during the visit of Chief Minister Punjab to Turkey, President KOSGEB especially met him and expressed interest in work for SMEs development in Punjab.

The Chief Minister accepted and assured complete cooperation in this regard.
A delegation of KOSGEB visited Pakistan in March 2016 and signed a MoU with Small Industries Corporation after workshops with SMEDA, Punjab Small Industries Corporation, TEVTA, Punjab Vocational Training Center, Punjab Board of Investment and Trade Departments.
According to MoU, Turk company will provide its services for the provision of information, training and resources relating to young entrepreneur business with the cooperation of all institutions in Punjab.
The committee constituted by Chief Minister has sent its summary for approval.
Managing Director Punjab Small Industries Corporation apprised the meeting of strategy evolved for small and medium enterprises.
He told the participants that corporation with the assistance of KOSGEB has divided this programme into three pillars which include entrepreneur training programme, setting up of business information centers and credit support programme.
Under this programme, 9000 entrepreneurs will be trained, more than 14000 will be provided financial assistance and 1440 centers would be set up within next three years.
Dr.
Ayesha Ghaus Pasha appreciated the efforts of Punjab Small Industries Corporation and KOSGEB for the promotion of SMEs.
She directed them to prepare PC-I of the project and ensure e-monitoring of the programme and move forward with the consultation of all concerned departments including Punjab IT Board, Livestock and Agriculture.
She said that strengthening of economy is impossible without promotion of SMEs but unfortunately, this sector is the most neglected one.
However, now work has been started on this project, she added.
She expressed the hope that with the personal interest of Chief Minister Punjab, the target of growth rate will be achieved by creating facilities for small and medium level enterprises in the province.