LAHORE – The Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that vast investment opportunities in livestock, dairy farming and energy sectors are available in Punjab. He added that the Punjab government wanted to learn expertise of Denmark in order to improve various sectors. Joint ventures, beneficial for both countries, can be launched in dairy farming and energy for this purpose.
He was talking to Ambassador of Denmark in Pakistan Uffe Wolffhechel, who called on him here today. Wife of the Ambassador Sussie A Ruff, Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Punjab Investment Board Vice Chairman Rizwan Ullah Khan were also present on this occasion. The chief minister said that Pakistan shared cordial and friendly ties with Denmark, which should be utilised to gain a further boost in trade and economic relations.
He said that Pakistan is facing security problems; however, the entire nation is determined and united to eliminate terrorism. He said that citizens, police, law enforcement agencies and army have rendered sacrifices in the war against terrorism and for the first time, besides officers of the army, children have also been martyred during this war. The chief minister said that the Punjab government had taken steps to improve the quality of education.
He said that centers of knowledge “Daanish Schools” have been set up for imparting education and training to the talented children of poor parents in the backward areas. These schools provide education in Hasilpur and Rahim Yar Khan whereas third Daanish School will be inaugurated in Chishtian within next few days, he added. He said that majority of the population of Pakistan consists of youth.
Equipping them with technical education would help alleviate poverty and unemployment. He said that, besides paying attention to the promotion of technical education, an autonomous and vibrant Investment Board has also been set up for the encouragement of investors in the province. He said that vast investment opportunities are available in livestock and energy sectors in Punjab, while Denmark has great expertise in dairy farming and hydroelectric power sectors.
Punjab has the best canal system in the world, while hydroelectric power projects can be started at various places in the province. He said that Punjab and Denmark should consider all aspects in detail for enhancing cooperation in various sectors and a delegation from Punjab can be sent to Denmark for this purpose. Punjab Investment Board Vice Chairman Rizwan Ullah Khan informed the Ambassador of Denmark that Pakistan is the fourth largest milk producing country and 22 farms of livestock exist in Punjab.
He said that investment opportunities and a large scope of improvement in these farms are available. A conducive atmosphere has been created for investment in Punjab and all possible incentives are being provided to investors. Energy expert Nadeem Babar disclosed that energy shortage is leaving a negative impact on the economy of the country and best investment opportunities in hydroelectric power sector are available in Punjab. Five hydroelectric power projects have been initiated in the private sector.
