KARACHI, Dec 15: Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro announced on Saturday of referring to National Electric and Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) the issue of fixation of upfront tariff on Sindh coal in Thar area without loss of much time.

“This should signal the beginning of gainful exploitation of the coal,” the prime minister said in response to a point raised by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh, here on Saturday, at the 31st PFCCI Export Awards ceremony. The Prime Minister gave away about 100 awards including President of Pakistan Export Trophy to Nishat Mills.

In his welcome address, the FPCCI president urged for immediate fixing of an upfront tariff of Sindh coal in Thar area to give a green signal to the potential investors for setting up coal based power projects in the province.

“Feasibility study shows that we can use this rich source to produce energy as being done in other developed countries,” he informed the prime minister while blaming Nepra for remaining indecisive on the upfront tariff issue.

Responding to FPCCI chief’s point on fund requirement for developing some ancillary facilities at the first ever private sector built airport at Sialkot, the prime minister instructed the Civil Aviation Authority to look into the matter.

The premier informed the gathering of businessmen about the steps taken by his government in short time to boost business. The first and foremost, he said was allowing import of Indian cotton via Wagah.

He recalled the pioneering role of Pakistani business in economic progress and development of the country in last 60 years. “We literally made a beginning from a scratch but now can boast of immense technological progress and industrial development,” he said.

He was confident that exporters would play a significant role in pushing up the exports in terms of new markets and new products.

Commerce and Textile Minister Shazada Alam Mannoo said that the government had taken measures to help textile mills and also sugar industry by way of asking the Trading Corporation of Pakistan to buy half a million tons of sugar.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan CEO Tariq Ikram in his speech said that the exports were hard pressed for last two years but the authority was taking quick measures to reverse the downturn trend. “We are storming the markets,” he announced and said that the steps would be visible in next 15 days.

As many as 100 exporters were given trophies shields and medals on their outstanding performance during 2006-07.