LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that to stand tall in the comity of nations, Pakistan must stand on its own feet. He stressed that instead of pursuing temporary solutions like rental power for generating energy, Pakistan must develop hydroelectric and coal-based power generation.
He was addressing the Entrepreneurs Conference on “Tiecon 2010 Pakistan” at Royal Palm Golf and Country Club. Industrialists, bankers, businessmen and economic experts were in attendance at the conference. The chief minister demanded that priorities must be focused in the right direction. He demanded that natural resources be used to put the country on the road to progress and prosperity.
The vast opportunities in the advancement of the livestock and agriculture sectors have remained unfulfilled. Despite the comparative advantage Pakistan holds in livestock, it is left to our neighbour to export halal meat to Malaysia and other countries and earn valuable foreign exchange. Pakistan, the fourth-largest milk producing country, only processed three to four percent of that milk.
He said that Punjab had sent a sample of 300 kilogrammes of halal meat to Malaysia; meeting vigorous standards. He pledged that the first consignment of 25 tonnes meat would be exported. He reiterated that vast opportunities in the development of agriculture sector exist and by exporting agri-products to Middle East and other regions, the economy could be greatly bolstered. Pakistan’s youthful population is a dividend but must be polished for the progress and prosperity of the country.
It was pointed out that in 1980 the exports of Turkey equaled those of Pakistan but currently its exports of 138 billion dollars dwarf those of Pakistan which is only 19 billion dollars. Elaborating, he revealed that 90% of Turkey’s exports are to the European Union. He marveled tremendous progress by promoting research, science and technology at Turkish nation had made.
There was a pressing need for the development of domestic resources, only then could foreign dictation be ignored, he reasoned. He termed the conference a good omen which would certainly encourage the promotion of investment in the country and boost the morale of young industrialists. He lauded the efforts of management during the organisation of the event.
Moonus-ur-Rehman, President Tiecon 2010 Pakistan addressing the function said that the conference was organised to provide a forum where industrialists, bankers, economic experts and young investors could interact in large numbers. He highlighted the vast opportunities of investments existent in Pakistan.
Shahbaz Sharif urges self-reliance
