Govt for developing another industrial zone between Karachi and Hyderabad

Sindh Minister for Commerce and Industry A.Rauf Siddiqui on Thursday hinted to set up another industrial estate between Karachi and Hyderabad, the second largest city of the province.

There is vast unutilized land between Karachi and Hyderabad. We can develop another industrial zone, the Minister said while addressing members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry at one-day seminar on Financial Management and Financial Liquidity at Karachi Chamber.

This event was a part of 3-days second Finance and Information Technology Expo-Pakistan scheduled to start from August 03, 2010 at Karachi Expo Centre. It will include international exhibition, conferences and National Achiever Award. It is a joint initiative of KCCI and RAKZ Communications (Pvt) Limited.

Mr Siddiqui was welcomed by President of KCCI Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad, Vice President M. Jawed Vohra , Chairman KCCI Sub-committee on Information Technology Asif Bega , Chairman KCCI Sub-committee on Banking and Insurance Attique-ur-Rehman and other senior leaders of the Chamber.

The Minister appreciated the initiative and hoped that it will help boost trade and industry in the country. He said we have much time to promote IT in the country which called for comprehensive plan and hectic efforts based on public-private partnership. There is a lot of talent in our country and we can capture good share of international IT market.

He said his Ministry was providing all possible support and facilitation to those investing in IT sector.

When Japanese delegation came to me and asked for 5 acres of land to set up some IT facility, I ordered 10 acres of land for them to encourage other investors in this important sector, he recalled adding that his Ministry wanted to bring more local and foreign investors in this sector to achieve ultimate goal of strong national economy and fast track development.

This is the century of IT and no country can progress without developing its IT sector.

At least 75 percent of our country is doing without IT, he regretted. He also underlined the need for promoting quality education in the country which is vital for progress of a nation.

Rauf Siddiqui said 2nd Finance and IT Expo 2010 will prove to be useful platform for these companies to showcase their products and services. The event is the requirement of modern times of the industry and it must be held regularly for strengthening of these sectors.

He advised the KCCI members to invest in Kotri and Nooriabad Industrial Estates and Sindh Government will extend all support. He informed that water supply scheme bringing water from Keenjhar lake to Nooriabad Industrial Estate will be completed in August 2010.

KCCI President Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad, Chairman KCCI Sub-committee on IT Asif Bega and Chairman KCCI Sub-committee on Banking and Insurance also highlighted the importance of IT and suggested solutions aimed at its development.