Punjab Growth Strategy 2018 being evolved: Shahbaz

[Salman]

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said Punjab Growth Strategy 2018 is being evolved for increasing growth rate in the province and effective measures would be taken for this purpose. He also said there is a need for introducing reforms in institutions for achieving the targets of development. "Capacity-building of institutions and improvement in the system can help promote investment as well as generate new job opportunities," he added.

He expressed these views while addressing a meeting regarding Punjab Growth Strategy 2018 here on Monday, disclosed an official. Provincial Ministers, Assembly Members, Vice Chairman Lahore Development Authority, Punjab Chief Secretary, secretaries of concerned departments and economists were present.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said information technology is being used for the capacity-building of government departments and rapid progress is being made towards establishment of e-government. He directed that effective measures be adopted for increasing growth rate and Growth Strategy 2018 be given a final shape as soon as possible. He also directed that the committee headed by Advisor Dr Ejaz Nabi and Chairman Planning and Development should give a final shape to Growth Strategy 2018 while heads all institutions should provide complete support for this purpose.

He said there is a vast scope of development in agriculture, livestock and dairy farming sectors and national economy can be strengthened while huge foreign exchange can also be earned through uplift of these sectors. He said Punjab is rich in natural resources and there is a need to take full benefit from them. He also said completion of a masterpiece like metro bus project is an example of courage, hard work, transparency and determination and the same spirit should be displayed for increasing growth rate in the province. "The model of metro bus project should be followed in every department. Availability of additional resources for development projects is no problem and there is a need for honesty and hard work," he added.

Advisor on Economic Affairs Dr Ejaz Nabi and Chairman Planning and Development while giving a detailed briefing on Growth Strategy 2018 informed the meeting that it is aimed at generation of 1 million new job opportunities every year, improvement of health and educational facilities, provision of the best services to the masses, acceleration of industrial process, promotion of investment, encouragement of private sector, preparation of skilled workforce, improvement of sanitation system, urban development and promotion of livestock sector.