PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday said that a comprehensive strategy has been developed by the provincial government to develop the industrial sector of the province on modern lines and create vast opportunities of employment for youth.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was working under a comprehensive and well devised strategy to develop the industrial sector on modern lines,” he said.
Mahmood Khan also criticized the incumbent federal government and stated that it has brought the national economy to the verge of default due to its ‘selfish policies’ adding that the PML-N led government was allegedly busy covering their past corruption cases.
He said that development requires sincere leadership, adding that economic growth of a country is connected with sufficient exports and adequate industrialization.
Mr Khan said “multi-dimensional development activities are in full swing across the province to stabilize the provincial economy as well as to provide employment opportunities to the youth.”
In a statement issued from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Mahmood Khan stated that the provincial government was working on establishing a number of new economic zones in addition to reviving sick industries in the province.
Introduction of the industrial policy 2020, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commerce & Trade Strategy 2020 and investment promotion strategy were amongst the important policy initiatives of his government aimed at promoting the industrial sector as per contemporary needs.
It is pertinent to mention here that 71 development schemes have been reflected in the current provincial Annual Development Program (ADP) to ensure development of the industrial sector on a sustainable basis.
During the last four years, a number of new economic zones have been established including Jalozai Economic Zone, Nowshera Economic Zone (extension), D.I Khan Economic Zone, Rashakia Special Economic Zone, Chitral Economic Zone, Hattar Special Economic Zone, Bannu Economic Zone, Ghazi Economic Zone and Mohmand Economic Zone. Additionally, Daraband Special Economic Zone, Salt and Gypsum City Karak, Buner Economic Zone, Katlang Economic Zone and Mansehra Economic Zone would also be launched soon.
The statement added that an investment of around Rs 338 billion has been made in existing and new economic zones wherein 167 sick industrial units have been revived and 366 new industrial units established.
During the year 2021, interest free loans amounting to Rs1 billion have been provided under Insaaf Rozgar Scheme whereas Saaf Finance Scheme worth Rs 12 billion has also been launched to promote small and medium entrepreneurs in the province.
In order to promote international investment in the province, 44 MoUs worth $8.0 billion have been signed in Dubai Expo 2020 following the formal agreements with various investment companies to materialize these MoUs.
The Chief Minister retreated that free and fair election is the only option to rid the country of corrupt rulers and save the national economy.
