CPEC: Minister for protecting interests of local industrialists, traders

Punjab Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Shaikh Alauddin has stressed the need for protecting the interests of local industrialists and traders while taking decisions regarding China Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Minister was speaking at a seminar held to discuss the inclusion of new projects in the CPEC and a long-term plan in this regard here on Tuesday. Punjab Secretary Industries, Commerce & Investment Dr Mujtaba Piracha delivered a detailed presentation on the provincial framework on CPEC, mechanism for inclusion of new projects of Punjab, long-term plan and way forward on the subject and sought proposals from the participants.
Shaikh Alauddin said that a great responsibility lies on their shoulders as they are the decision makers, so they must be aware that any wrong decision could cause their next generation to repent on what they did for them. After visiting a number of chambers of commerce and industries, it came into their notice that the business community was already feeling disturbance on behalf of China's imports to Pakistan as it was causing a grave set back to the local industry most of which was going to close, he said.
The Minister said under invoicing and Hundi was also one of the major factors causing loss to the national exchequer. "If we want to save our industry from further decay, we should stress that all trade with China should be conducted through banks which is the only way to make our industry viable," the Minister added.