Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani declared that the administration intends to complete the Lahore-Sialkot-Kharian Motorway extension to Rawalpindi before the current term ends, stressing its role in spurring growth and supporting SMEs.
Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected Jhelum Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials, he encouraged local traders to emulate the Sialkot Chamber approach to turn Jhelum into a commercial and industrial centre.
Kayani requested the chamber to draft a detailed industrial development plan and said he would return in exactly one month to review its suggestions. He also revealed that a Jhelum delegation would travel to Sialkot to study its practices and seek ways to boost the chamber's capabilities.
"Employment is generated by the private sector, while the government's responsibility is to provide a conducive environment and necessary support," he stated, adding that he would champion the chamber's cause at the federal level if solid proposals were presented.
The minister noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is devoted to economic progress and the uplift of small and medium enterprises, pointing out that the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority board has been reconstituted to aid such businesses.
Earlier in the ceremony, Kayani administered oaths to the newly chosen Jhelum Chamber president Azhar Dar, senior vice-president Abdul Ghafoor Butt, vice-president Nadeem Khan and other office-bearers.
