Ambassadors of European Union, Germany and Holland call on CM Punjab

Lahore: Ambassador of European Union, Lars Gunnar Wigemark, Ambassador of Germany, Dr. Cyrill Nunn and Ambassador of Holland, Marcel De Vink met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here today. Matters of mutual interest, strengthening of economic and trade relations, as well as promotion of cooperation in skill development and other sectors were discussed on the occasion. It was agreed in the meeting that besides strengthening of economic and trade relations, European Union and Punjab government will further promote cooperation in these sectors.

Talking to the Ambassadors of European Union, Germany and Holland, the Chief Minister thanked them for the support of European countries in the granting of GSP-Plus status to Pakistan. He said that due to access to European markets, Pakistan’s textile exports will further increase while new job opportunities will also be created. He said that cooperation of European Union, Germany and Holland to Punjab in technical, vocational and skill development sectors is welcome.

He expressed the desire to strengthen trade and economic relations and cooperation in different sectors with European Union and its member countries. Shahbaz Sharif said that there are vast opportunities of investment in textile, energy, livestock, agriculture and skill development sectors in Pakistan especially Punjab. He said that Punjab government is successfully implementing a comprehensive programme of skill development with the cooperation of British Department for International Development (DFID). He said that thousands of youth have been made skillful in South Punjab under this programme and the scope of this project has been extended to 18 districts of the province.

Referring the welfare programmes started in Punjab for the benefit of women, minorities and youth, the Chief Minister said that youth are being provided soft-term loans under self-employment scheme so that they could not only stand on their own feet but also support their families. He said that Daanish schools have been set up for low-income boy and girl students of backward areas for providing them modern educational facilities. He said that these resources-less children are being imparted latest knowledge through smart boards and IT labs in Daanish schools. He said that educational facilities are being provided to more than 15 lakh children through Punjab Education Foundation.

Similarly, he said, more than 60 thousand talented boy and girl students are continuing their education through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund. Shahbaz Sharif said that government is making serious efforts for resolving energy crisis as it is badly affecting industrial, agricultural and other sectors. He said that federal government is importing LNG to overcome shortage of gas and it is hoped that it will be available from the beginning of next year. He said that work is also in progress with the cooperation of China on power projects based on coal and these projects are being implemented speedily and transparently. He said that all citizens of Pakistan have equal rights and supremacy of law is being ensured in the province.

Ambassador of European Union said that serious efforts are being made for the promotion of cooperation with Pakistan especially Punjab in the sector of technical and vocational training as it will not only create jobs but skilled workforce will also be available for meeting the market needs. He said that there are vast opportunities for textile industry of Punjab in European markets. He said that rapid progress is being made in Punjab under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. German Ambassador assured that cooperation with Punjab will be continued for making the youth skillful. Dutch Ambassador said that besides promotion of cooperation, technology will also be shared with Punjab government.

The Chief Minister also arranged a luncheon in honour of Ambassadors of European Union, Germany and Holland. Provincial Ministers Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Industries and other concerned officers were also present on the occasion.

World Bank Mission led by Vincent Palmade met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today. It was agreed in the meeting to take speedy measures for cooperation between Punjab government and the World Bank for institutional reforms, urban development, agri business, skills development, information technology, disaster management, livestock & dairy development, promotion of small industries and other sectors. A steering committee comprising representatives of World Bank and Punjab government was also set up which will monitor the measures for cooperation between Punjab government and World Bank in different sectors.

Head of World Bank Mission Vincent Palmade said that World Bank will further reforms programme jointly with the Punjab government. He said that the steps of Punjab government led by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the development of the province are commendable. Provincial Ministers Mujataba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Ch. Sher Ali Khan, Farrukh Javed, MPA Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, secretaries of concerned departments and heads of development agencies were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister Lt Gen.(R) Abdul Qadir Baloch met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today. Overall situation of the country and development projects in Punjab were discussed during the meeting.

Talking to the federal minister, Shahbaz Sharif said that country cannot afford politics of protest and chaos. He said that those staging sit-ins have caused irreparable loss to the economy of the country due to personal prestige and stubbornness. He said that people have right to ask from those staging sit-ins why they started protest politics at the time when country has been put on the road to progress.

The Chief Minister said that the nation will never forgive those causing loss to the economy. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government has again started development of the country with new determination and commitment.