The government will take the business community on board while formulating policy, especially with regard to promotion of cluster industry, in addition to establishing Special Economic Zones, according to Secretary Industries Aziz Ahmad Bilour. He said on Monday, while addressing a business delegation, that the government was trying to tap the huge indigenous investment available in Pakistan, making efforts to convince investors to tap productive sectors rather than investing abroad or in real estate.
He also said that though the industry had been through difficult times during the past few years, it showed resilience and now there are clear signs of improvement. He added that considering the industrial potential of this region, the government would look into the proposal to establish Special Economic Zones in the region to promote cluster industry. Bilour apprised the delegation that the government was well informed about the problems of energy deficiency and assured that shortage will be considerably reduced as the energy import and production projects will mature in the near future. He ensured the delegation that the business community will be incorporated in the future scheme of things. The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Ali Raza said that there was a need to establish an Export Processing Zone in the RCCI Industrial Estate in Rawat, which could add value to regional production. He said that there is a well established industry of furniture, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, steel, marble, wheat products and garments in the region which need government support to flourish and expand. For this purpose, the RCCI established and maintained a research and design section which helps the industry to follow modern techniques of production to improve their products, he added.