NOWSHERA: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government is taking all-out steps to incentivise investors for promotion of industrialisation and exports in the country.
The prime minister said this while addressing the ceremony of commercial launch of Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on Friday.
The prime minister said that hurdles are being removed to facilitate the local and foreign investors to invest in Pakistan. He emphasised on establishing export-based industry in the country for wealth creation. He said the future of Pakistan lies in industrialisation.
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed hope at the upward trajectory of the economy and said the country has passed its difficult economic phase and is now on the path to prosperity with almost 4pc growth rate predicted. “This country is now on the path to progress,” the premier further said.
“The economy of the entire country has started to grow,” he said and added that, “large scale manufacturing is growing rapidly, which is the biggest indicator of growth”.
“The economic growth rate has amazed even our rivals who previously accused us of destroying the country.” Now, the premier added, they accuse us of lying. “I want to tell them, I didn’t come to power through the rigging. Unlike you, I’m the captain who brought a neutral umpire,” he quipped.
“We achieved record growth in agriculture and made sure that the farmers are given their due share. We made sure that the sugar mills pay the farmers in full.”
Pakistan, the prime minister maintained, also witnessed record increase in the production of wheat, corn, and rice and in the sale of fertilizer.” He further said the initiatives taken brought prosperity to farmers and those living in the rural areas were able to buy tractors, motorcycles, and vehicles.
Regarding collaboration with China, he said, “It is a good omen for Pakistan to learn from a country with the fastest growth”. He observed that industrialisation of western countries is built around the old model and Pakistan cannot learn much from them.”Our priority should be to facilitate the investors as much as possible, as it will bring more investment in the country.”
He recalled that the current account, earlier in a deficit of $20 billion, was now in surplus. “But as our economy grows, pressure on the current account may increase and that will be a challenge.”
“Through such industrial zones, we can elevate our exports and that will help us avoid a current account deficit, ultimately avoiding a dependence on the IMF,” the prime minister said referring to the Rashakai SEZ.
“We are now planning sustainable growth so that we never have to go to the IMF again,” he maintained.
On the pandemic, the premier said, “Pakistan is among the four or five few countries in the world that managed to escape a difficult situation.” “The credit goes to the NCOC [National Command and Operation Centre] and our think tanks,” he added. He further stated that the biggest decision was to avoid a lockdown as it would only cause an increase in poverty.
He directed the KP government to give land at the zone on lease instead of selling it to avoid real estate speculations. He also advised for ensuring one window operation to facilitate the investors.
Earlier addressing the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong congratulated the prime minister, the government and the people of Pakistan on the commercial launch of Rashakai SEZ.
He said the project will give impetus to industrial development in Pakistan. He said it also helps enhance economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.
The ambassador said the Rashakai SEZ will not only accelerate economic progress but also create jobs for the youth in Pakistan.
Rashakai Special Economic Zone is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor cluster. It is a flagship project of the KP government and KP Economic Zone Development and Management Company.
Rashakai SEZ spreads over about one thousand acres of land, which is linked with CPEC route on M-I Motorway and other districts of the province that makes the project strategically significant.
The construction of the zone is being carried out with the collaboration of China’s state enterprise China Road and Bridge Corporation and KP Economic Zone Development and Management Company. Different industries, including pharmaceutical, textile, food and beverages and steel and engineering will be established at Rashakai Special Economic Zone.
The project will provide employment opportunities to about two hundred thousand people of the area directly and indirectly.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan will interact with the general public via telephone for the fourth time on Sunday (May 30).
Taking to Twitter, Senator Faisal Javed said that the prime minister will directly interact with the public for the fourth time at 3:00pm on May 30 in a series of direct discussions via telephone under the banner of ‘Aap ka Wazir-e-Azam Aap kai Sath’ [your prime minister is with you].
He said that the interaction would be broadcast on television, radio and digital platforms and the people could reach out to the prime minister via telephone number 051-9224900.
In the previous interaction, the prime minister, besides directing to resolve issues raised by the general public, said that the Covid cases in the country are witnessing a stabilising effect and urged the public to adopt Covid SOPs during Eid in order to avoid an India-like situation. – TLTP
