RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government will be establishing six to eight new industrial zones in the province, said Punjab Board of Investment Chairman Sardar Tanveer Ilyas on Thursday.

Mr Ilyas was visiting the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) to meet with local shopkeepers and traders.

He said the Punjab government is working on providing the maximum facilities for the promotion of local industry and under Ease of Doing Business.

“We are committed to providing all facilities under one roof. The basic purpose of my visit to chambers of commerce in the province is to get feedback and recommendations on tariffs, taxation and reforms,” he said.

He added that the Punjab government also wants to facilitate overseas investors and traders as well.

“Local manufacturers, industrialists and investors will be given equal opportunities and incentives,” he said.

He urged the private sector to come forward and play its role in boosting trade and business activities in the region.

He said the government is aware of the concerns of the business community and that he agrees that there is need for involving the private sector.

He appreciated RCCI’s role in promoting trade and business activities through exhibitions and exchange delegations and assured of his full support for resolving the issue of the provision of a grid station and link road at RCCI Rawat Industrial Estate.

RCCI President Malik Shahid Saleem said Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan and that businesses in the pharmaceutical industry, poultry, gems and jewellery, marble and cement are flourishing in the Potohar region.

He said he hoped the Board of Investors chairman will address their grievances on priority basis and will increase interaction with traders.

He urged the government to give similar incentive packages to local manufacturers in special economic zones to make business more competitive and in favour of Pakistani traders.

“We want more incentives and ease to promote special economic zones in the region and we have high hopes for upcoming export packages with respect to export and taxation,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2019