LAHORE: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud has promised to discuss the issues being faced by the tractor industry and technology sector with relevant ministries so as to resolve them at the earliest.
The minister expressed these views in separate meetings at the office of Millat Tractors Limited (MLT) and Airlink Communication Limited, a smartphone manufacturing facility at Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, Kot Lakhpat, on Monday.
During a meeting with Millat Group Chairman Sikander Mustafa Khan, Chief Executive Officer Irfan Aqueel and senior directors, the minister was informed about the issues being faced by the tractor industry, especially the latest SRO 563, which was feared to force closure of the industry.
Murtaza was apprised that the MTL had a market share of more than 60 per cent which represents its customers’ satisfaction and trust in its quality, while the company has also expanded its products range.
The minister appreciated the MLT efforts for achieving more than 90 percent deletion level in tractors, resulting in saving of precious foreign exchange reserves.
Meanwhile, during a meeting with Airlink Communication Limited Chairman Aslam Hayat Piracha and CEO Muzzaffar Hayat Piracha, Murtaza Mahmud said that technology has great importance in economic growth of any country.
The government is focused on incentivising local manufacturing for creating employment opportunities and promoting exports, he added.
Mahmud said, “We want to take the country forward by ensuring sustainable economic growth and companies like AirLink are playing their part in bringing innovation and global leading brands to Pakistan. This is exactly the kind of growth we want to see in future.”
Muzzaffar H. Piracha said, “We are focused on strengthening local manufacturing in Pakistan. Our main goal is to export smartphones from Pakistan which will change the game all together on a bigger scale.”
AirLink’s manufacturing facility has created thousands of jobs and encouraged R&D (research and development) culture and innovation in the industry, he added.
