Cottage industry to be promoted through women empowerment in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Ayla Hamza Malik Friday said the government was focusing on cottage industry through women empowerment in Balochistan.

Responding to the question of Dr Shahnaz Baloch in the national assembly, she said, “The present government is interested in promoting handy crafts and home-based industry.” The 94 industrial unites were established throughout the country, she said adding amongst them three were established in Balochistan on Build Operate and Transfer basis.

The government was also planning to arrange exhibitions across the country to project the local craft, the minister said adding woolen textile mills had already been installed in Harnai, Lasbella and Bolan.

Responding to the supplementary question of Syed Mehmood Shah, she said the cottage industry and local crafts were being promoted in different cities of Balochistan however, if some areas were going unattended, the members must bring them in the knowledge of the government to launch immediate operation in such areas.

Pakistan industrial technical assistance through its backup and advisory services to industrial personnel and common people through its regional offices in Quetta were helping the general public in Balochistan to get employment, she said.

The federal government in closed coordination with its departments explored many opportunities to work in Balochistan.

Some of the major projects were of Gwadar Industrial Estate, Export Processing Zone, Agro Processing Plants, Engineering Support and Skill Development Center, Gwadar, the minister said.

She said PC-1 with focus on handicraft sector, cottage industry development in less developed areas of the country particularly in Balochistan were prepared and waiting for the approval form competent authority.