QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani has invited local and foreign investors for establishing businesses in Balochistan, saying that the province has ample opportunities in mineral, agriculture, livestock, energy, fisheries, tourism and other sectors.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day conference on business opportunities here on Tuesday, he said that God has blessed Balochistan with precious minerals and other natural resources due to which the whole world recognises the province’s importance.

He also formally inaugurated the Investment and Registration Portal.

The conference has been organised by the Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade and the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was attended by leading business leaders from Balochistan and other areas of the country.

Says investors will be provided facilities under one-window operation

Provincial Minister for Livestock and Environment Mitha Khan Kakar and the secretaries of departments concerned were also present at the conference.

Mr Alyani said that the Balochistan government would provide maximum incentives and facilities to investors under a one-window operation and it would take measures for providing safety to investors and their investment.

He said that the role of the local business community is very important in boosting the economy of the country. By investing and establishing industries in Balochistan, the business community could create a large number of job opportunities in the province.

Stressing the need for improving the tax collection system, the chief minister said that the country needs to increase it tax base as a broad tax base is a must for giving a boost to the country’s economy.

Mr Alyani urged the local business community to work as the ambassador of Balochistan and create awareness among investors about ample investment opportunities in the province.

Balochistan Board of Investment chief Saeed Ahmed Sarparah, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce president Nasir Mirza, Chamber Group leader Sohail Altaf, officials of the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and other business leaders also spoke at the conference.

CM Alyani criticised the previous governments, alleging that they did not make serious efforts for boosting economic activities in Balochistan. In the past investment opportunities of Balochistan could not get promotion due to lack of planning of previous governments, he said, adding that the former rulers in the province did not take interest in establishing industrial zones and providing facilities to investors.

He said Balochistan is rich in natural resources, especially natural salt, minerals, gold, copper, chromate and other minerals. Muslim Bagh and Qila Saifullah produce chromate while Saindak, Reko-Diq have huge gold and copper reserves while Dhodar has big reserves of lead and zinc. There is a need to explore these natural resources for development of Balochistan.

CM Alyani said both the federal and provincial governments were paying special attention to development of Balochistan and launched various development projects in the province. For the first time, they have planned to establish nine border markers at the Pak-Iran border. He said steps are being taken to construct roads and provide facilities for trade activities. He said the government is making a road network in the province for boosting trade activities. It has constructed 2,500km roads and 1,800km roads will be constructed this year.

The chief minister said Balochistan has special importance due to its geographical location. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has further improved its importance. He said a master plan for Quetta is being made. He said three marble zones are being made. Under a skill development programme polytechnic institutes are being established in the province.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2021