Innovation stressed to promote growth

LAHORE: The Urban Unit organised a session on Industrial & Textile Growth Policies under Punjab Spatial Strategy on third day of Texpo 2019, going on in Expo Centre.

The session was aimed to engage stakeholders in a wide ranging dialogue and discussion on development and growth priorities of the Punjab government and its future strategic directions.

The session was well attended by the foreign delegates, government organizations, think tank, policy makers and students. Dr. Nasir Javed Ex CEO Urban Unit, Shoaib Zafar Commercial Secretary of Pakistan in UK, Adnan Lodhi Commercial Counsellor of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Qasimi COO Faisalabad Industrial Estate Management Company, Dr. Amir Commercial Secretary Riyadh, Ms. Nishita Commercial Counsellor Los Angles USA and many other dignitaries were present.

Keynote speaker Dr. Azam Chaudhary, Dean Faculty of Economics at a private institute stressed the importance of innovation and performance in developing countries, especially in case of Pakistan. He emphasised on need of a chain of innovation leading to enhanced productivity, to promote growth and standards of living in Pakistan.

Urban Unit CEO Khalid Sherdil introduced expertise and the extensive research undertaken by the unit. He said that data analysis done by the unit would lead to development of policies suggesting solutions to Pakistan’s multifarious issues. The Census of Manufacturing Industries was discussed along with the key points of how to develop the industries with in Pakistan through the development of growth corridors and growth nodes. Sherdil said that Punjab Spatial Strategy (PSS) would enable policy actors and government stakeholders to align public sector infrastructure investments with the needs of the province.

Ms. Thais Lobo, Trade Development Officer from Brazil, said that there existed a huge untapped potential for trade between Brazil and Pakistan.