New industrial zones to promote trade, exports with China, CARs: ICCI

ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP): President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Khalid Iqbal Malik said on Monday that Pakistan had had great potential to promote trade and exports with China, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries and new industrial zone in the region would help in realizing these objectives.
Talking to a delegation of Chakwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President, Khurram Kamran here, he said, the government should expedite work for the establishing of new industrial zone in District Chakwal.
He said, in the backdrop of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the area, Chakwal was the suitable option for establishng new industrial zone.
The CPEC would initiate more trade and investment activities in the region and in this scenario, new industrial zone was of paramount importance.
He assured that ICCI would soon approach Ministry of Industries for this important project.
He said Potohar region needed a new industrial zone for
industrialization and investment and Chakwal offered the best place for the project.
Speaking on the occasion, Khurram Kamran said, about 500 acre barren land at Islamabad-Lahore Motoway near Nila Dullah Interchange area was identified by the government as the most suitable place for industrial zone as it was very cheap and provided easy access as well.
He said, the establishment of new industrial zone in Chakwal would attract new investment, promote industrialization and create jobs in the area.
It was discussed that Islamabad, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Attock and Jhelum Chambers of Commerce and Industry should join hands to launch a strong campaign for establishing the said industrial zone.
Tahir Ayub Vice President ICCI, Khalid Javed, Tariq Sadiq, Mian Akram Farid, Zafar Bakhtawari, Zahid Maqbool and others also spoke at the occasion and stressed for new industrial zone in Chakwal.