US envoy, Shafay discuss enhancing trade ties

LAHORE:Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain and US Consul General Kristin K Hawkins on Friday held a meeting at Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT) office to discuss the promotion of trade relations between Punjab and the United States.

The provincial minister informed the US Consul General about the steps being taken to promote investment and quality technical education. He also spoke about investment opportunities in various sectors of Punjab. Shafay said that the United States is a major trading partner of Pakistan, however, more steps are needed to increase bilateral trade cooperation.

US Consul General Ms Kristin K Hawkins appreciated the investment promotion measures in Punjab and the establishment of business facilitation centres. She acknowledged that the tourist and historical places of Punjab are worth seeing.

The provincial minister said that he would welcome US cooperation in promoting technical education in Punjab. He said that there are vast investment opportunities in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of the province. The manufacturing of solar panels in Punjab and the promotion of electric vehicles are the government's top priorities. A garment city is being built in Quaid-e-Azam Business Park, Sheikhupura, to promote the textile sector and concrete steps have been undertaken to empower women economically.

Shafay said that changes are being made in the Universities Act to increase enrolment in the technical universities of Punjab adding that Tevta institutions, labs and courses are also being upgraded and besides this Tevta’s performance and financial audit is being conducted.

Chaudhry Shafay said that free IT short courses are being provided to children under the Chief Minister’s Skill Development Programme. Job placement has also been arranged for those who have completed training in Tevta institutions and the scope of business facilitation centres is being expanded as well. PBIT CEO Jalal Hassan and other relevant officers were also present in the meeting.