Tuesday, December 01, 2009
By Adeel Pathan
The city was abuzz with business-related programmes last week including the visit of US consul general and promotion of small and medium industries.
US Consul General Stephen G Fakan attended a reception at the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry but not at the chamber’s secretariat but at a club obviously due to security reasons.
In his remarks, the diplomat said the US government wanted to enhance contacts with the people of Pakistan and the US was also supporting Islamabad in the power generation sector. Karachi, the country’s industrial hub, would become self-sufficient in power generation, he added.
He said US companies were also helping in dairy product processing and technologies were being provided in that regard. He proposed the HCCI should support scholarship for students who could get education in the US for transfer of technology, adding the US consulate would support such an initiative.
“Modern technology is a prerequisite for making the products acceptable worldwide,” he said.HCCI President Azizuddin Arain suggested that US companies should invest in power generation, construction, coalmines and food processing and a joint venture should be started.
Other participants of the meeting representing various business sectors said US companies should invest in Hyderabad because of its satisfactory law and order situation.The diplomat also held a separate meeting with District Nazim Hyderabad Kanwar Naveed Jameel, who briefed him about the development work and initiatives for economic activities in the city.
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority’s Sindh Manager Mukesh Kumar also visited Hyderabad during which he announced that a glass products design and development centre was being established for the glass industry of Hyderabad. “The centre will also impart free training to glass industry workers,” he said.
The centre is being constructed in collaboration with the Sindh Small Industries Corporation at the SITE area of Hyderabad. It will help introduce new and diverse glass products.
Project Manager Syed Asif Ali Shah said the development centre would start running by June next year and would not only provide information and training but would also help reduce unemployment.
Meanwhile, Sindh Industries Secretary Ali Ahmed Lund, while examining SMEDA projects in Hyderabad, said the authority’s role in the development of industries was praiseworthy.
He assured SMEDA officials that the provincial government would cooperate and support these projects. At another reception, the HCCI president said participation of delegates in international exhibitions and trade fairs would help boost business prospects of Hyderabad.
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