QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has asked the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to take advantage of lucrative investment opportunities in Balochistan as it would create a sustainable growing economy, benefiting all provinces of the country.

In a meeting with representatives of FPCCI at the Governor House here, he said attention should be paid towards boosting trade, establishing border markets, ensuring affordable power supply and taking guidance from economic experts to enhance business activities.

Mr Mandokhail said the government is committed to provide complete protection to all local and international investors, said a news release issued on Sunday.

The governor said the FPCCI is the largest business forum of the country and welcomed the arrival of leading businessmen and industrialists from across the country to Quetta which he said would produce positive results.

Governor stresses need for setting up border markets, boosting trade

He said the economy will be strengthened by establishing industrial zones in different areas of Balochistan which were proposed when the CPEC project was launched in the province.

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He urged the business community to help and guide the Balochistan government in creating opportunities for economic development of the province, eliminating unemployment and making possible access to the markets of Central Asia and neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, leaders of the United Business Group (UBG), including S.M. Tanveer and Haji Ghulam Farooq Khilji have announced that a business meeting will soon be held in December in Islamabad which will focus on addressing economic challenges faced by Balochistan’s industrial and trade sectors.

Speaking at a joint press conference here on Sunday, both business leaders highlighted the immense potential in Balochistan’s mining, agriculture and livestock sectors.

They emphasised that if these opportunities were fully exploited, they would ensure prosperity in Balochistan.

Mr Khilji stressed the need for collective efforts to resolve Balochistan’s pressing economic issues.

This would require immediate attention, he said, and expressed concern over persistent economic struggles of the province, pointing out that new challenges emerge every week.

Despite these difficulties, he said, the businessmen remain optimistic about the potential for positive change in Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2024