2nd Lahore Expo begins: Trade with India to help mitigate poverty, says Shahbaz

MUHAMMAD SALEEM

LAHORE: Trade with India would benefit both Pakistan and India, adding that it would also help mitigate poverty through creation of new employment opportunities, Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the second Lahore Expo.

According to him, the PML-N led Punjab government was working to evolve a comprehensive strategy aimed at overcoming the prevailing power crisis in consultation with major chambers of commerce and industry in the province.

Another round of consultation was taking place with private sector representatives on Saturday (today), he said. The Punjab government, he said, was taking the business community on board in its efforts aimed at preparing a strategy for initiating power projects in various areas of Punjab.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the Punjab government would not only financially support all energy-related projects but also extend all out administrative cooperation. He urged the private sector to come forward and join hands with the government in its efforts for overcoming the energy shortages.

Appreciating the business community for playing a major role in bolstering national economy despite severe power cuts, the chief minister said that a plan would be worked out to ensure the provision of uninterrupted electricity to the industrial sector, enabling it to continue its productivity.

In his welcome address, the LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said the private sector was not being allowed to play its due role in the policy-making process. He said the private sector needed to be taken on board before important economic policy decisions, both at provincial and federal levels, were made.

Criticising the federal government for what he termed anti-business policies, he said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry was making all out efforts to rejuvenate economic activities but it would remain a dream unless its role was recognised at all levels.

He thanked the Punjab government for its cooperation in making the Lahore Shopping Festival a success. He said that participation of international exhibitors in the mega event from countries such as Indonesia, India, Jordan and Czech Republic was commendable. He expressed the hope that the Lahore Expo would achieve the desired objectives of trade promotion and economic growth not only for Lahore but also for Punjab.

Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the exhibition hall and spent some time at the Indonesian stall where the Indonesia's ambassador briefed the him about his country's future investment plans.

LCCI Senior Vice-President Kashif Younis Meher, Vice-President Saeeda Nazar also spoke on the occasion.

Convener LSF Committee Sheikh Mohammad Arshad, MNA Pervaiz Malik, Adviser to the Chief Minister Mohammad Ali Mian, Indonesian Ambassador Ishaq Latuconsina were prominent among the participants.