Poland should invest in energy sector:CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that friendly relations spreading over decades exist between Pakistan and Poland, however there is a need to further promote economic and trade relations between both the countries. He said that Poland has vast experience and expertise in mining, engineering and energy sectors and Pakistan wants to benefit from experience and expertise of Poland. He said that there is a great scope of investment in energy, agriculture, livestock, dairy farming and mining sectors in Punjab. He said that investors of Poland should invest in these sectors and Punjab government will provide all possible facilities to them.

He expressed these views while talking to a high level delegation led by Minister for Trade of Poland Tomasz Tomczykiewicz, here today.

Ambassador of Poland in Pakistan Dr. Andrzej Ananicz, Provincial Ministers Sher Ali Khan, Chaudhary Muhammad Shafique, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Advisor on Livestock Chaudhary Muhammad Arshad Jatt, Chief Executive Officer PEMCO Mumtaz Khan Manhais, Chairman Planning & Development and concerned secretaries were present on the occasion.

Besides matters of mutual interest, promotion of cooperation in livestock, mining and energy sectors were discussed during the meeting. It was agreed to promote cooperation in livestock, mining and energy sectors between Punjab government and Poland.

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is facing severe energy crisis and shortage of energy has caused irreparable loss to national economy. He said that energy crisis has badly affected industry, education, health, agriculture and other sectors.

The Chief Minister said that government is taking all possible steps for overcoming shortage of electricity. He said that a number of agreements have been made with local and foreign energy companies and investors. He said that facilities are being provided to foreign investors for investment in energy sector on priority basis.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government has made a comprehensive planning for executing energy generation projects from solar, coal and other sources for coping with energy crisis. He said that six sites have been selected in the province for generating energy through imported coal. He said that vast reserves of coal exist in Sindh and Punjab. He said that planning is being made for generating energy by utilizing local coal.

The Chief Minister said that Polish companies should invest in mining sector and energy generating projects from coal and all possible facilities would be provided to them. He said that Punjab government is working on Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in Cholistan and executing 100 megawatt solar power project through its own resources.

Shahbaz Sharif said that China has offered investment in various projects in Punjab. He said that Punjab is hub of agriculture activities. He said that livestock and agriculture have great importance in our economy and there is vast potential in these sectors. He said that Punjab government is also establishing modern garments zone due to which garment industry will flourish and country’s exports will increase.

The Chief Minister said that after getting the status of GSP Plus, exports of Pakistan to European countries will increase and facility of GSP Plus will be fully benefitted. He said that vast reserves of coal exist in Salt Range in Punjab and Australian company has completed study about it. He said that Poland has expertise in coal mining and it can extend cooperation to Punjab in coal mining. He said that officials of Poland and Punjab should jointly evolve a strategy for increasing cooperation in livestock, mining and energy sectors.

Trade Minister of Poland Tomasz Tomczykiewicz said that Poland is willing to promote trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan particularly Punjab. He said that cooperation in livestock, mining and energy sectors will be enhanced with Punjab government.

Tomasz Tomczykiewicz said that he will play his due role for further promoting relations between Pakistan and Poland. He also extended invitation to the delegation of Punjab government to visit Poland. Ambassador of Poland in Pakistan Dr. Andrzej Ananicz said that all possible steps would be taken for promoting cooperation with Pakistan especially Punjab in livestock, mining and energy sectors.

Delegation of Poland included senior officials of Ministry of Trade and representatives of investment companies.