CM gives approval of Garments City

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has granted approval to the project of setting up Garments City near Kala Shah Kaku Motorway. He said that the Garments City would be set up over 1000 acres of land where Pak-China industrial zone would also be established. He said that all facilities would be available to the industrialists under one-roof in the Garments City while a labour colony, hospital and other facilities would also be provided on priority basis.

He was presiding over a high level meeting at Model Town which was attended by Provincial Ministers Col (Retd.) Shuja Khanzada, Muhammad Shafique, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Hameeda Waheed ud Din, Advisor Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Member Provincial Assembly Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, acting Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretaries of the departments concerned, office bearers of Pakistan Garments Association and senior officials. Advisor to Chief Minister Dr. Ijaz Nabi gave a briefing on the proposed project of Garments City.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the project of Garments City is of vital importance and would be implemented expeditiously. He said that no laxity or negligence would be tolerated in the execution of the project. He said that all matters regarding the glorious project of Garments City would be settled in a transparent manner. Shahbaz Sharif said that the implementation of the project would result in promotion of garments industry. He said that Chinese investors associated with textile, readymade garments and knitting have shown interest in investment in Punjab-China Industrial Zone.

The Chief Minister while issuing instructions to the concerned authorities to prepare a practicable financial model of the Garments City directed that a complete survey be conducted for the assessment of energy requirements of the Garments City and comprehensive recommendations be formulated in this regard. Shahbaz Sharif also directed that a solid strategy be evolved for producing skilled manpower to meet industrial requirements of the Garments City. He also directed that proper planning be made for the provision of infrastructure in the Garments City. He emphasized the need of special training in various skills for textile, garments and other sectors.

The Chief Minister issued instruction for constituting a committee to evolve technical training programme and directed that the committee should prepare a comprehensive training programme as early as possible so that skilled workforce could be provided to the factories to be set up in the Garments City. He said that textile sector would make considerable progress after the granting of GSP Plus status to Pakistan in the European Union, national exports would substantially increase while new job opportunities would be created and national economy would strengthen. He said that provision of resources for preparing skilled workforce is not expenditure but useful investment.

Office-bearers of Pakistan Garments Association welcomed the establishment of the project of the Garments City and said that Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has evolved a glorious project for development of garments industry. They assured full cooperation to Punjab government in this regard.