Governor calls for govt-business cooperation to boost economy

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has said closer cooperation, consultation and joint efforts between the government and business community are essential to accelerate economic development, promote investment and exports and create employment opportunities.

He was speaking to a Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) delegation led by President Ali Hussam Asghar, comprising Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani, Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain, Executive Committee members and former office-bearers.

The governor congratulated the newly elected LCCI leadership and assured the business community that the Governor House would remain accessible to them. He said he would play his role in conveying their proposals and concerns to the relevant federal and provincial authorities.

Lahore’s business community was an important partner in Pakistan’s economic development, he said, adding that strengthening industry and agriculture was vital for economic stability, higher exports and employment generation. The governor also stressed the need to improve the business environment through continued government-business coordination.

LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar said the new leadership’s priorities included industrial development, export enhancement, investment promotion, employment generation and improvement of the overall business environment.

LCCI Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani highlighted issues confronting industrial areas, particularly Saggian, Mahmood Booti and Kahna Kacha. He called for consultation with the business community on commercialization and conversion charges and sought a review of commercialization rates for industrial land in Saggian.

Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain stressed greater facilitation for traders and industrialists, saying conducive business environment and sustained government-private sector coordination were necessary for economic growth.

Meanwhile, Provincial Minister for Transport Bilal Akbar Khan during his visit to the LCCI has said that the Punjab government is taking comprehensive measures to develop a modern, safe, environment-friendly and efficient transport system across the province besides advancing public transport, electric buses, electric taxis, electric motorcycles and various railway projects. He said the 1,100-electric-bus project in Punjab was progressing rapidly towards completion, with around 90 percent of the buses already operational. The remaining buses would soon become fully operational in different districts. The project, he said, would provide daily commuting facilities to approximately 500,000 passengers.

He further said that around 400 Speedo buses and 130 electric buses were already operating in Lahore, while additional electric buses would start operating by January 2027. He also announced the appointment of a focal person to maintain coordination between the transport department and the Lahore Chamber.

Regarding the Sunder Industrial Estate, the provincial minister categorically stated that Sunder would be included in the public transport network. LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar said the Orange Line Metro Train and Metro Bus Service had played an important role in improving mobility in Lahore. However, he stressed the need for greater awareness among the business community regarding the future, expansion and costs of these projects as well as the opportunities they could create for businesses.

He also called for further improvement in the traffic management system. Referring to the Environmental Protection Amendment Act and the amendments relating to food standards, Ali said the LCCI would conduct a detailed review in the coming days and submit its recommendations.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026