'Sindh striving to create investment-friendly atmosphere'

Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that sustainable development of industrial and agriculture sectors could alone bring the country on the road of plenty and prosperity. Talking to members of a delegation of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headed by Mehmood Ahmed here on Saturday, he said that the present government is striving to create investment-friendly atmosphere to facilitate sustainable industrial development in the province.
He said that the socio-economic objectives of the country cannot be achieved through mushroom growth of industrial sector. However, this objective can be achieved under a planned strategy. He said that the government on its part is striving to provide basic facilities and strong infrastructure at all the industrial estates in the province.
He said the Sindh government has already allocated a sum of Rs 500 million for the development of infrastructure of Korangi Industrial Estate. He said the purpose of extension in industrial estates was not only to accommodate investors or increase industrial production but also to create more job opportunities to check the influx of people which has brought tremendous pressures in urban civic facilities.
Responding to the problems presented by the members of HCCI, the Chief Minister announced that 300 acres land would be provided for the extension of Hyderabad Industrial Estate, and asked the Senior Member of Board of Revenue Sindh to issue notification about the allotment of the land within a week. However, he added that plots would be allotted only to genuine industrialists. He also directed Revenue Board Member to resolve the pending matter of allotment of one acre for establishment of Industrial Expo-Centre within the shortest possible time.
Referring to the demand for making Hyderabad airport operational, Rahim said that the provincial government was actively considering to make the it operational, but a lot of rehabilitation work and extension of runway has to be undertaken. He said that keeping in view that Hyderabad is in proximity of Karachi the government was considering to start flights from Hyderabad to Lahore and Islamabad with the provision of cargo services.
The Chief Minister assured the industrialists that registration fee for industrial plots would be reduced to a reasonable level.
While talking to the delegation of Kotri Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) he said that in addition to Rs 30 million for the improvement of infrastructure as many as 600 acres of land has already been provided for the extension of Kotri Industrial Estate. Besides, the proposal for providing further land for extension was in consideration.
He said that Sindh government has asked the National Highway Authority to construct a fly-over on Railway track near Kotri Industrial Estate, and added that if this scheme was not undertaken by the NHA, the Sindh government itself would complete the Project.
He directed the Chief Engineer Highway and DCO Hyderabad to complete the on-going development work of National Highway passing from Hala Naka to Kotri Industrial Area within the shortest possible time.
The Sindh Chief Minister also stressed upon the members of the delegations to participate in the scheme of community police, recently launched in Karachi, and was working successfully.
The Chief Minister announced that Provincial Facilitate Board for the industrialists would be reactivated under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. He held out an assurance that the nomination of Kotri Industrial Zone would be included in the Site Board. The Chief Minister said that health, education and sports facilities would be provided to the children of the industrial areas employees. He lauded the role of industrialists of KATI for vaccinating 2000 police personnel against Hepatitis B and C. The members of both delegations lauded the role of the present government for facilitating and encouraging the industrialists, and also upheld the President Package announced for the uplift of defunct Hyderabad district.
MPAs, DCO Hyderabad, and other officers of nation building departments also attended the meeting.