CM gives go-ahead to garments city project

[Salman]

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has granted approval to the project of setting up Garments City near Kala Shah Kaku Motorway.

He said that the Garments City would be set up over 1000 acres of land where Pak-China industrial zone would also be established. He said all facilities would be available to the industrialists under one-roof in the project while a labour colony, hospital and other facilities would also be provided on priority basis.

He was presiding over a high level meeting at Model Town which was attended by Provincial Ministers Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada, Muhammad Shafique, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Hameeda Waheed ud Din, Advisor Dr. Ijaz Nabi, MPA Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, acting chief secretary, and other officials concerned.

Advisor to Chief Minister Dr Ijaz Nabi gave a briefing on the proposed project of Garments City. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that the project of Garments City was of vital importance and would be implemented expeditiously. Shahbaz said that the implementation of the project would result in promotion of garments industry. He said that Chinese investors associated with textile, readymade garments and knitting have shown interest in investment in Punjab-China Industrial Zone. The chief minister while issuing instructions to the authorities concerned to prepare a practicable financial model of the Garments City, directed that a complete survey be conducted for assessment of energy requirements of the project and comprehensive recommendations be formulated in this regard.

He also directed that a solid strategy should be evolved for producing skilled manpower to meet industrial requirements of the Garments City. The chief minister issued instruction for constituting a committee to evolve technical training programme and directed that the committee should prepare a comprehensive training programme as early as possible so that skilled workforce could be provided to the factories to be set up in the Garments City. The office-bearers of Pakistan Garments Association welcomed the establishment of the project of the Garments City.

Meanwhile, a delegation led by president of the Chinese company Dongfang Electric International (DEC) which is working on Nandipur Power Project, Han Zhiqiao met Shahbaz Sharif. Matters regarding completion of Nandipur Power Project were discussed in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shahbaz said the work on Nandipur project was being carried out expeditiously on the project. He said that government wanted to complete this project even before the stipulated period with the cooperation of the Chinese company as this project of national importance will help in resolving energy problem in the country. He said China was a trustworthy friend of Pakistan and recent by their senior official will help opening up new avenues of cooperation between the two countries in energy sector.

Shahbaz offered cooperation to the officials of the Chinese company in other energy projects in Punjab to which the president of Dongfang Electric International (DEC) Han Zhiqiao assured to cooperate in other energy projects in the province as well. He said that Nandipur Power Project is a joint project of the two countries and will be completed in accordance with the vision and desire of the Chief Minister. He said that special attention was being paid to the standard of construction of the project. Separately, Japanese Ambassador in Pakistan Hiroshi Inomata also called on Shahbaz Sharif. They discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations and cooperation in different sectors.