Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said work on the second phase of exploration of iron ore reserves in Chiniot-Rajwa has started.The chief minister expressed these views while chairing a meeting on Saturday to review progress on exploration of iron ore reserves in Chiniot-Rajwa as well as progress on the second phase of the project. Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz said an agreement has been signed with German company Fugro for the exploration and exact assessment of minerals.“The German company will start its work on the second phase of exploration of mineral resources in Chiniot and adjoining areas and submit its report after a complete survey,” he said.Shehbaz said the survey would help to identify estimated cost of minerals as well as collection of data. He said the cost of the mineral resources has been estimated with hard work and observed that this project carried vital importance for the progress of the national economy.In the first phase, the international experts have finalised their report by assessment of iron ore reserves in Chiniot-Rajwa. The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to invite investors keeping in view the feasibility report of the project and the assessment of iron ore reserves in the area.“During the second phase drilling and other works should be completed as early as possible in a professional and scientific manner,” the CM remarked.During the meeting, a briefing was also given about the future roadmap for staring work on second phase of the project. Furgo Managing Director Dr Uta Alisch, geographical experts including Dr Jens Krumb, Ralf Braumann, secretary mines and minerals and other officials concerned attended the meeting. P&D chairman participated in the meeting through video link.Meanwhile, during a meeting with MNAs and MPAs, Shehbaz said a vast potential was available in agriculture, livestock and dairy farming sectors. Sustainable development of these sectors would help in strengthening of economy along with poverty alleviation and decreasing unemployment.He said concrete steps have been taken for development of agriculture, livestock and dairy farming sectors. Interest-free loans of Rs100 billion were being provided to the small farmers for the first time in the history of the country.He said the interest-free loans programme has been expanded in a transparent manner by using latest technology and more than 600,000 small farmers would be benefitted from this programme. He said agriculture sector could not progress without the prosperity of small farmers.“Keeping this fact in mind, the programme of interest-free loans for the betterment of small farmers has been designed by the Punjab government,” Shehbaz said.“I am personally supervising the progress on comprehensive step taken for the uplift of the farmers. The provision of subsidy on agricultural apparatus and fertilisers has left positive impacts on the agriculture sector.”Published in The Express Tribune, April 9, 2017.