EU envoy praises Punjab for economic progress

LAHORE

European Union Ambassador Jean Francois Cautain Thursday visited Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) and appreciated the Punjab government for the steps it took for sustainable development and economic progress.

Provincial Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu and PBIT CEO Haroon Shaukat received the EU ambassador along with senior officials. Haroon Shaukat briefed the visiting envoy about the progress made by the Punjab government in terms of development and highlighted the prospects of future increase of exports to the EU.

The EU ambassador said public and private sectors of Pakistan would have to work together to take full advantage of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status granted till 2023. Due of GSP Plus, Pakistani exports have been increased by 78 percent to EU. That is moving towards win-win situation for both, he added. The EU ambassador also emphasised that 27th convention should fully be implemented for helping the citizens of Pakistan. Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Khalil Tahir Sindhu said that Pakistan’s global image does not fully depict the country’s potential and a complete re-branding of the country is needed in the eyes of international investors.

The PBIT CEO stated that despite the fact that EU Commission granted GSP Plus status to Pakistan, the potential benefits of this scheme could not be fully materialised. We look forward to finding more and more opportunities of market penetration in other countries of EU, he said and stressed the need for exploiting the potential by exporting agro-based processed foods to EU in collaboration with European companies through joint ventures and transfer of technology.

Haroon Shaukat said Pakistan is ranked in the list of top 10 countries that are introducing reforms for ease of doing business. “We are focusing on three major steps: terrorism, law and order and energy infrastructure.

And the situation on all three fronts is improving,” Haroon added. He said PBIT is organising a mega event to attract foreign investors in Punjab. The “international seminar on business opportunities in Punjab” will introduce Punjab as an investment hub and will aim to share several success stories from within Pakistan to the international community. The EU ambassador assured that the EU would help to make the seminar a successful event.

MoU: Punjab University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (ICET) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, China. 

A ceremony was held at the university in which PU VC Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, PU-ICET Director Prof Dr Amir Ejaz and Dean at Shenyang University Prof Weiru Chen were present. Later, Shenyang University delegation visited ICET and laboratories and met students and teachers of the institute. Shenyang University of Chemical Technology has agreed to provide 20 internships to 6th semester students of ICET. In this regard, they will provide opportunity to ICET students with all the expenses of boarding and lodging covered for six weeks internship every year. 

workshop: Punjab University Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAGS) organised training workshop on floriculture (Floral Design and Business). 

IAGS Director Prof Dr Saleem Haider, former Director Floriculture Punjab Dr Tariq Iqtidar, Horticulturists Behzad Rafiq, Junaid Khan, workshop coordinator Assistant Professor Dr Muhammad Shafiq, faculty member and students were present. 

The participants learnt seasonal buying, cleaning of flowers, creating own arrangement and caring of flowers.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Saleem highlighted the importance and export potential of flower industry. Later, certificates were distributed among the participants.  

Wapda: In what can be termed the first move of its kind, Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lt-Gen Muzammil Hussain (R) has invited former chairmen Wapda to a consultative seminar, scheduled to be held at Wapda House next week.

According to the Wapda spokesman, it is pertinent to mention that Wapda with its renewed spirit has energised the sick projects and their early completion is being viewed to overcome the persistent energy and water shortages. Two long awaited projects - Tarbela 4th Extension and Neelum Jhelum - are likely to see the light of the day by end 2017 and beginning of 2018 respectively. Whereas, all important but seriously time over run project of Kachhi Canal is also likely to irrigate 72,000 acres in Dera Bugti district of Balochistan by end 2017.

Besides appointing capable and committed officers on various projects, some have been changed from sensitive appointments for their ordinary performance.

Another move to benefit from treasure of experience is being initiated in Wapda in the form of a consultative seminar being attended by all the former chairmen.

The purpose of this consultative seminar is to have a valuable input of former chairmen to give a much needed further flip to on-going efforts for timely completion of the projects and effective water management and hydroelectric generation. Reportedly, this will be the annual feature of Wapda’s schedule.