‘Depleting water resources damaging to growth’

LAHORE: The Lahore chamber’s second edition of quarterly journal ‘Economic Outlook’ highlighted that depleting water resources can jeopardise economic growth in the coming years, a statement said Thursday.
Advising to prioritise the water and energy issues, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) report asks the government to allocate maximum funds for water reservoirs to generate cheap hydropower.
Reiterating the report, LCCI President Ijaz A Mumtaz said Pakistan will suffer from severe water shortage due to the fast depleting reserves. The report describes these repercussions on the industrial and agriculture sector, while suggesting water management strategies.
He said that Pakistan is among the top ten kinnow producers of the world, and the LCCI report also highlights the scope of enhancing kinnow exports to the developed markets.
Mumtaz said that while Pakistani leather exports were stagnant at around $1 billion, exports of our neighbouring countries increased by more than 70 percent in the last four to five years.