Punjab industrial estates reap fruit of improved infrastructure



By our correspondent

LAHORE: Public-private partnership has improved investment climate in Punjab as all industrial estates of the province have seen improvement in infrastructure, law and order and rehabilitation of closed industries.
Almost all industrial estates of the province are operating under private sector representatives with Sunder the only exception where private sector CEO has been replaced by former Nespak chief. A study by The News revealed that small and medium industries at the renovated Multan Industrial Estate have revived with more than three dozen green projects in leather, food and agricultural implants commencing their production.

Similarly more than 50 new projects including two multinationals have started operating at the newly-built Sunder Industrial Estate. More than 100 new industries are under different stages of completion. They include pharmaceuticals both domestic and multinationals, textile, particularly knitwear and garment, and auto-parts manufacturers.

The most astounding success was however achieved at Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate (formerly Township Industrial Estate). It was until the establishment of Sunder the largest industrial estate of the province. When this 565-acre industrial estate was managed by public sector, it was plagued by broken roads, destroyed sewerage network and alarming law and order situation. Two years back the average dacoities in this industrial area were three per week. Industrialists were closing their units.

A new board of management of this industrial estate was constituted two years back comprising public-private sector representatives with private sector representative as its head. The new board gave security the first priority and collaborated with Lahore Police in this regard. The police provided the personnel while vehicles, drivers and petrol were provided by QIE for 24-hour surveillance. The police employees are provided three times meal, snacks and regular washing of their uniform. According to president QIE Nauman Kabir there has been no incidence of dacoity or theft during the past 16 months.

The board then revamped the internal road structure of the QIE along with a refurbished sewerage system. Better infrastructure resulted in rehabilitation of 35 industrial units while 14 new industries were established, including a multinational beverage company. QIE president said at present 435 SMEs are in operation, employing over 45,000 workers. He said improved security encouraged women workers to seek employment in QIE. He said currently more than 9000 workers in QIE are women.

The powers for transfer of property had been handed over to QIE board two years back. The board reduced transfer fee by half but has settled all but 18 of the 197 property transfer cases during two years.

The 18 unresolved cases are pending in courts. The QIE established its own solid waste management system. Its staff and vehicles pick garbage round the clock and keep the sewerage system clean. The board has also established water supply system through its own water tank and has established its own fire brigade station.