EDB to draft Chemical Vision 2020 for industry growth
22 Sep '07
4 min read
Mr. Zahid informed that EDB together with the chemical industry will develop a chemical vision - an action plan by mid January 2008. The first meeting with the stakeholders of Punjab was held on 28th August in Lahore. The core feature of the whole process would be consultative and participatory so that industry could own the vision and play its due role in the implementation process and successfully keeping the plan on the path so jointly determined. A chemical industry development committee having the private-public partnership would continue overseeing the implementation, removing the bottlenecks and irritants in the developmental process of the industry and review of the plan etc, he said.
The stakeholders welcomed the move by EDB and described it as a step in the right direction. They were unanimous in classifying the industry as basic, specialty and petrochemicals for the purpose of vision and action plan. They also emphasized exploitation of local resources, human resource development, improved university-industry linkages.
They demanded pre-announced tariff for at least 5 years, minimum spread between inputs and the finished products, low sales tax and excise duty and abolishing of unfair competition between the organized and un-organized sectors. Incentives in the form of tax breaks were also pleaded by them. Provision of cluster to encourage mutual learning, support and complementation and investment were also supported. Other demands included financial support in the shape of soft loans, consistent supply of gas, standards on health, safety and environment, and development of petrochemical complex.
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