LAHORE: (APP) Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presiding over a high level meeting here on Tuesday decided to set up an autonomous authority with regard to promotion of trade activities and increasing business opportunities in the province.
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The Chief Minister directed to take speedy measures for setting up the authority and said that senior officers and leading personalities from private sector should be included the authority. Work should be forwarded rapidly by constituting a team comprising best persons in this regard, he added.
He said that latest demands should be kept in view for promoting business activities and a comprehensive strategy be adopted for increasing trade activities. Concerned departments should play an active role for promoting business activities, he added.
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Shehbaz Sharif said that performance of institutions could beimproved through promotion of e-government. He said that all out steps should be taken for the promotion of investment and increasing economic activities in the province.
He said, "We have to move in this direction speedily without wasting time." He said that e-stamp papers had been introduced in 21 districts of the province and scope of this project would be expanded throughout the province by the end of November this year.
The Chief Minister said that additional resources could also be created along with improvement of institutions with the promotion of modern technology, therefore, use of latest technology should be promoted in all the institutions. He said that all out facilities should be provided to the persons associated with trade sector for enhancing trade opportunities in the province.
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Shehbaz Sharif said that generation of energy was essential for increasing business activities and the government efforts were proving fruitful for overcoming energy crisis.
Chairman Planning and Development gave a briefing regarding World Bank's report (Ease of doing Business) in connection with trade opportunities in Punjab.
Provincial Ministers Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Ch. Muhammad Shafiq, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary, concerned secretaries, office-bearers of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, business personalities and concerned officials were present on the occasion.