CM tells chambers' teams: Economic issues top priority of government

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that resolution of the issues being faced by the business community is top priority of the government as they are the backbone of the economy. While talking to a delegation of different chambers led by President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, the Chief Minister said that the issues of businessmen would be resolved on priority basis.

He said different departments including industries, labour, social security, police and district management are being directed to extend maximum cooperation to the business community. He said the provincial government has lifted the lockdown three days earlier to support traders' community. He said all the decisions would be taken in consultation with the stakeholders.

The Chief Minister said that public sector development projects would continue. The Metro Train would soon be operative while its test run has already been completed. He said the federal government would be approached for linking Gujranwala to Motorway whereas Gujranwala-Sheikhupura Road would be built under public-private partnership. He said immediate measures would be taken for development of Faisalabad city. The government is planning for shifting of truck stands out of the city, he added.

Sardar Usman Buzdar said that he would be visiting the Lahore and other Chambers of Commerce & Industry soon. He said that businesses in the negative list would remain closed while more businesses would be opened under the standard operating procedures (SOPs) very soon.

LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that being the largest province of the country, Punjab is more responsible to play a fundamental role in economic stability of the country. It is the biggest contributor to the national economy, GDP, agriculture and services sectors, he said.

Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that Punjab has enormous potential in the production of key minerals including coal, gypsum, rock salt, limestone, iron ore and marble, and granite among others. He said the government should take all decisions after taking stakeholders on board.

Other members of the delegation were President Rawalpindi Chamber Saboor Malik, President Gujranwala Chamber Mian Umer Saleem, former president Faisalabad Chamber Zia Alamdar, Chairman Chain Stores Association of Pakistan Rana Tariq, former president Sheikhupura Chamber Malik Manzoor, Haji Tahir Naveed, Haji Muhammad Khalid, Mian Tariq Feroze, Sheikh Muhammad Idrees while Provincial Minister of Industries, Commerce & Investment Mian Aslam Iqbal was also present on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020