PESHAWAR, Nov 06 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday said sustainable peace was the foremost requirement for economic growth in the province, as a peaceful environment would attract investment, boost business activities and put the province on the path to prosperity. Addressing the second All Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chambers Presidents Conference and Business Excellence Awards ceremony at the Governor House, he said the federal government had approved development projects …
Governor sees peace, transparency as key to KP economic growth
PESHAWAR, Nov 06 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday said sustainable peace was the foremost requirement for economic growth in the province, as a peaceful environment would attract investment, boost business activities and put the province on the path to prosperity.
Addressing the second All Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chambers Presidents Conference and Business Excellence Awards ceremony at the Governor House, he said the federal government had approved development projects proposed by the province. He added that efforts would be made to allocate 70 percent of the Rs160 billion package to the merged tribal districts.
The governor assured the business community that federal funds allocated to the former FATA and PATA would be spent transparently, with no room for corruption or misuse of public money.
He said he was fully aware of the challenges facing the province’s business community and had held several meetings to address them.
He had also taken up these issues with the prime minister and other senior officials, including the Field Marshal, and work had begun at the federal level to resolve them.
Kundi said the government was now focused on addressing the province’s economic challenges and ensuring that funds were spent in the areas for which they were allocated.
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by traders and residents of the former FATA and PATA in the past and said efforts were underway to address the concerns of the affected business community.
He stressed that peace, coupled with a business-friendly environment and support for investors, was essential to unlock the province’s economic potential.
KP had vast opportunities in minerals, energy, agriculture and tourism, which needed to be utilised to strengthen local industries and improve the province’s image nationally and internationally.
The governor said economic progress required close cooperation between the government and the business community.
He expressed the government’s desire to ensure uninterrupted industrial activity, attract investment and create employment opportunities at the local level.
He said issues relating to CNG and wheat had been resolved, while work was underway to address concerns in the gemstone sector.
He also stressed the need to improve tourism infrastructure and facilities to turn the province’s scenic destinations into centres of economic activity.
Kundi urged business leaders to prepare viable proposals highlighting their problems and suggestions, assuring them that he was ready to take up their cases with the relevant forums.
Regarding anti-encroachment operations, he stressed that no one should face injustice during such drives.
Citing an example, he said even the signboard of his own house in Dera Ismail Khan had been removed during an anti-encroachment operation.
He proposed establishing a complaint cell to examine cases of alleged wrongful demolitions of buildings and shops. Following an inquiry, the concerned deputy commissioner or assistant commissioner would take steps to provide relief to affected citizens.
Expressing concern over civic facilities in Peshawar, the governor said around 11,000 manholes in the city lacked covers, posing serious risks to pedestrians, particularly children, and motorcyclists.
He called for immediate measures to address the issue.
He also directed the relevant authorities to submit a report on the proposed allocation of two kanals of land to each chamber of commerce, saying that providing facilities to the business community was essential for promoting investment.
The governor announced that a Made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Conference would be organised to showcase local products, industries and business potential.
The event would provide local manufacturers and investors an opportunity to introduce their products and business ventures.
He said the government, business community and relevant institutions must work together to make KP a hub of economic activity by ensuring investor confidence, transparency and a conducive business environment.
The ceremony was attended by Iranian Consul General Mohammad Hassan Moazami, Chairman Syed Jawad Hussain, United Business Group Patron-in-Chief SM Tanveer, Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari, SMEDA Regional Chief Rashid Awan, Hanif Gohar and other business leaders.
The governor congratulated the organisers, particularly Syed Jawad Hussain and his team, and appreciated the contributions of the recipients of the Business Excellence Awards.
