ISLAMABAD: The government has been supporting demands of the business community for revival of industrialisation as it is essential for economic growth in the country, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said whilst addressing a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

“The government is fully focused on reviving industrialisation to achieve rapid economic growth and we will fully support the ICCI in its endeavours for establishment of a new industrial estate near Islamabad so industrialisation would flourish in the region,” he added.

ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan along with prominent industrialists and businessmen Shaban Khalid, Ch. Nadeem Gujjar and Taha Akbar Ansari were a part of the delegation.

The minister fully endorsed ICCI’s proposal for setting up an industrial estate near the capital and said he would move a summary of it to the government for approval and materialisation of the project.

The government will try to acquire land for the project in order to meet the needs of investors and industrialists, he added. Mr Khan while giving a detailed presentation about the project said existing industrial zones in Islamabad are saturated due to which establishment of new units would not be possible, as a result of which, investors were shifting to other areas.

He said the government should cooperate towards establishing a new industrial zone near Islamabad Airport along with setting up an export processing zone as this strategic location provides easy access to both the airport and motorway.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2020