Govt eyes UNIDO help for industrial growth

Haroon Akhtar Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production, met a delegation from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido), according to The Express Tribune. The talks ranged over industrialisation, cooperation on climate, clean power and productivity. Khan said Pakistan was pursuing industrial growth and modern technologies, and argued that jobs for its young population depend on industrialisation.

The adviser said Pakistan's first National Industrial Policy has been framed to give direction to growth, productivity and economic foundations. He argued that narrowing the trade gap calls for export-led growth alongside import substitution and local manufacturing. Khan also pointed to untapped potential in industry and farming, and to gemstones and valuable minerals, with olive oil and gemstone processing cited as growing opportunities.

On electric vehicles, Khan said the NEV Policy is already in place and work is under way to expand charging infrastructure. He also referred to a proposed Battery Energy Storage System Policy, which is intended to build local capacity for EV battery production. The Unido delegation called solar energy a promising area for collaboration and said cooperation could help draw investment and create jobs.