Punjab govt, Argentine to work for uplift of livestock

LAHORE - The Punjab government and Argentine have decided to form working groups for bilateral cooperation in different sectors. The Argentinean government will extend assistance to Punjab for the uplift of agriculture, livestock, pharmaceutical, CNG public transport and various sectors and delegations will also be exchanged for this purpose.

This was decided in a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif and Argentinean Ambassador Rodolfo J Martian Saravia at the Chief Minister's Secretariat here on Tuesday. Matter regarding cooperation between Argentina and Punjab in different sectors were discussed in detail. Talking to the distinguished guest, the chief minister said that Pakistan is rich in natural resources but these had not been fully exploited during the last 60 years. He said that there is a vast potential for improvement in livestock and dairy development sector in Punjab whereas development of agriculture sector and increase in agri-production is among the top priority of the govt.

He said that despite being an agrarian country, Pakistan has to import wheat therefore, the Punjab government is focusing to enhance agri-production.

He said that Pakistan is fourth biggest milk producing country but it imports dry milk from abroad. He said there was a need for setting up processing companies in Pakistan and Argentine should not only extend assistance for this purpose but joint efforts should be made for the uplift of dairy development sector as well.

He said the Punjab government would extend all out cooperation for the establishment of pharmaceutical industry in the province by Argentine but it should be kept in view that prices of these medicines should be within the reach of a common man and the medicines should be of high quality. He said that prices of medicines are lower in neighbouring countries as compared to Pakistan.

The chief minister further said the Punjab government was taking various measures for promoting the use of CNG technology for curbing environmental pollution and for this purpose public transport is being converted to CNG. He said Argentine and Pakistan should make joint efforts for the promotion of this sector. The CM thanked the Argentinean Ambassador for extending cooperation for the uplift of various sectors in Punjab. He said that provision of technology and vocational skill by Argentine would go a long way in the progress of various sectors.

Earlier, the Argentinean Ambassador has informed the chief minister Punjab about details of cooperation in different sectors. He said Argentine could also provide quality seed for sunflower oil and cooling tanks for storage of milk.

Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif stressed the need for promotion of cottage industry in the province and directed Punjab Small Industries Cooperation (PSIC) to play a proactive role in this regard.

He was presiding over a meeting of the task force on industrial development and promotion of small industries, here on Tuesday. Chairman Task Force Yawar Irfan Khan, Secretary Industry Chairman TEVTA, Haroon Khawaja, presidents of chambers of commerce and Industry of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sheikhpura and Gujrat as well as officers concerned were present on the occasion.

He said that TEVTA should also pay due attention to the promotion of vocational training for producing a skilled and talented workforce to meet the future challenges. He directed Secretary Industries to take immediate steps for handing over Forest Department land for the setting up of vocational institute in Rawalpindi.

Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that PSIC would have to work with a renewed zeal and vigour for the development of cottage industry in Punjab and no laxity would be tolerated in this regard. He directed that highly qualified professionals be inducted in the board of PSIC. He said that the PSIC should conduct a complete survey for the promotion of small industry in the province and prepare forms in simple Urdu for the benefit of skilled persons associated with cottage industry in the light of the survey so that they should not face any difficulty.

He said that a committee would be formed for the provision of soft term loans. He directed that the Task Force should set targets on annual basis for the development of cottage industry and small and medium enterprises and TEVTA should also play an active role in this regard. He expressed his dissatisfaction over the performance of the centers of PSIC and directed to hand them over to TEVTA immediately.

He said that TEVTA should evolve a comprehensive strategy for the launching of vocational courses for boys and girls in these centres so that these centres could be fully utilised for the promotion of vocational education.

He said that TEVTA should set up maximum vocational centers in far-flung areas of the province. He directed that expertise of Singapore and Hong Kong should also be utilised for the development of cottage industry and industrial development.

Mian Shahbaz Sharif directed Task Force to submit comprehensive recommendations within ten days in the light of which vigorous programme should be launched for the development of cottage and small industry.