Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has said that he has directed the concerned authorities to prepare a comprehensive Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development programme in the province. Speaking at the launching of the exhibition "My Karachi-Oasis of Harmony", organised by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at a local hotel on Friday night, he said that the government would provide all possible assistance to those who intend to establish small and medium units in the province. He said that under the plan, the government would provide land on discounted rates with a condition that if the allottee failed to establish a unit in the specified period the allotment will stand cancelled.
The governor said: "The government is making efforts to improve infrastructure and provide better conditions to attract attention of investors.
He pointed out that due to government efforts every industry in the Site industrial area is expanding its production capacity and in Nooriabad the number of industries, which were only five a few years back, increased to 60.
"The government is investing billions of rupees to improve canal-lining system in the province," he said, adding, "the government is expecting better crop this year."
The governor said that the government has initiated projects to overcome the load-shedding problem in Karachi and 'with the completion of K-3 water shortage will be overcome in a big way.'
He said that with the efforts of government law and order situation has improved considerably.
The governor appreciated the KCCI efforts to improve the image and perception of Karachi He said that last expos held in Karachi also played an important role in improving the image of the city.
Speaking next, Chief Minister Sindh Dr Ghulam Arbab Rahim said that the government has allocated Rs 50 billion for improvement of infrastructure. He said the government has little finances to invest in the province because the NFC award is not yet finalised.
He assured the businessmen that the government would provide all possible incentives to them to boost investment in the province.
Welcoming the guests, President KCCI Khalif Firoz said that according to a study of National Productivity Organisation, the country has lost Rs 320 million due to poor transport facility, damaged roads and lack of other facilities.
He said that the Punjab government has drafted a law on public-private partnership for building infrastructure in the province. "Such an institutional mechanism can be adopted in the province of Sindh as well," he added.