Facilitation centres issued 25,000 business NOCs, says Shafay

LAHORE:Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain has said 25,000 NOCs have been issued for various business activities from six Business Facilitation Centers (BFC) established in Punjab.

The minister was speaking at a ceremony held under Department of Industries and Commerce to mark completion of one year of the establishment of Business Facilitation Centres. The minister said the establishment of Business Facilitation Centres has saved people from having to go to offices to obtain NOCs. Five federal and 28 provincial departments are providing facilities under one roof in the Business Facilitation Centres. Foreign investors are getting NOCs for business activities in 10 days and domestic investors in 15 days, the minister said.

Shafay added that the scope of Business Facilitation Centres is being expanded, industrial infrastructure is being improved in the industrial estates, and industrial centres are being converted to solar energy.

Chaudhry Shafay Hussain said that an agreement has been signed with the Chinese company ICO for the manufacturing of solar panels in Punjab. The process of upgrading labs and courses of Tevta institutions is under way. Under the Chief Minister’s Skill Development Programme, free short courses in IT are being provided to children. Follow-up is very important to achieve the desired results, said Chaudhry Shafay.

Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren, Acting Consul General of Turkyie Ali Albash, Secretary Industries and Commerce Dr Ehsan Bhutta, Chairman Punjab Investment Board Muntaha Ashraf, Chairman Tevta Muhammad Sajid Khokhar, President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mian Abuzar Shad and others also attended the ceremony.

During the ceremony, a collaboration agreement was also signed between Business Facilitation Centres and Maryam Ki Dastak. CEO Punjab Investment Board Jalal Hassan and Additional Director General Punjab Information Technology Board Khurram Mushtaq signed the agreement.

According to the agreement, NOCs for business activities will now be available online from home. During the ceremony, Chairman Board of Investment Muntaha Ashraf presented the BFC annual magazine to the minister.

Chaudhry Shafay Hussain congratulated the administration on completing one year of BFC. Provincial Secretary for Industries and Commerce Dr Ehsan Bhutta highlighted establishment, performance and other issues of Business Facilitation Centres.