AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi, June 14, 2013 (PPI-OT): Mir Naveed Jan Baloch, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has met Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, the newly elected Chief Minister of Balochistan and presented a 4-point economic revival plan for the province of Balochistan.
The Vice President of FPCCI led a delegation of the business community to meet the Chief Minister, comprising of Mr. Raheem Zafar, President of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Qazi Ghulam Rasool, former President of the Anjuman-e-Tajran Balochistan and Mr. Shahab Zafar, Executive Committee Member of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In his revival plan for the economy of Balochistan, Mr. Naveed Jan Baloch emphasized the following four priority areas: (1) improvement of regional trade, (2) livestock and fisheries, (3) the mining sector and (4) agriculture. He said that if the Gwadar – Ratodero road is built then connecting Balochistan with Punjab and China will become very easy. Another important road that has to be built is the Gwadar – Noshki road which will connect all mineral rich areas of Balochistan with Gwadar.
He said that currently the distance from Noshki to Karachi port is approximately 1100 Km, with the construction of Gwadar – Noshki road the distance will be cut down to half. He said that Balochistan has borders with Iran and Afghanistan. Currently there are 4 borders with Iran out of which only Taftan is open for trade and immigration. He proposed that the other 3 borders of Balochistan which are Gwadar, Panjgur and Mand be opened as well for trade. Similarly, With Afghanistan, the Noshki district border should be opened also.
For livestock and fisheries, he said that soft loans should be given for cattle farm developments, along with dairy farms, slaughter houses and eventually the leather industry. Small fishing ports in every coastal town of Balochistan will greatly improve the fisheries sector.
He said that the ban on loans for mining should immediately be thought over and a new plan may be laid out for loans to the miners. The Government may regularize the marble and onyx industry and set rules for conducting trade.
Secondly encouragement for local private partnerships should be pushed, since mining is the key sector from which the local populace can benefit the most. He also suggested the construction of small dams for agriculture. New technology and hybrid seeds should be introduced to the local farmers.
The Chief Minister listened to all proposals submitted by the FPCCI Vice President patiently. He also said that the new government would give due consideration to the recommendations he had submitted, and would work earnestly for the economic uplift of the province. He pledged his support for the business community of Balochistan, saying that he himself belonged to the middle class of the province and had risen from the grassroots level to this position, so he will try to solve all problems of the business community. He assured the delegates of maximum support and facilitation from the provincial government in alleviating their concerns.
For more information, contact:
Syed Masood Alam Rizvi
Secretary General
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
B-1, Federation House, Main Clifton Road,
Shahra-e-Firdousi,
Karachi-75600, Pakistan
Tel: 0092-21-35873691, 93-94
Fax: +9221 3587 4332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk
URL: www.fpcci.com.pk