Punjab University to expedite industrialization via establishment of SEZs under CPEC

LAHORE: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed has said that PU is committed to play its role in the industrial development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being established in the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. He was addressing a ceremony to sign an agreement between PU Institute of Quality and Technology Management and Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC). The Vice Chancellor said that Universities are the engines of Economic growth and CPEC Projects have a lot of potential of Industry Academia linkage for socioeconomic development of the Country. He appreciated Institute of Quality and Technology Management for conceptualization of 04 state of the art research centres. These research centres related to Standardization, Ergonomics, Supply Chain, project Management and Industrial Policy Analysis may change the Industrial landscape of the Country as envisioned in the long term plan of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Speaking on the occasion, Mian Kashif Ashfaque Chairman FIEDMC said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured him full support of development of Allama Iqbal Industrial zone in Faisalabad in stipulated time in a recent meeting with him. He said that all necessary steps are being taken to convert this special economic zone into an economic hub as directed by Prime Minister Imran Khan. He appreciated the initiative taken by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmad and Director Institute of Quality and Technology Management Dr Muhammad Usman Awan to integrate IQTM, FIEDMC and Chengdu Institute of Standardization China so that Technology transfer can also be possible.

Agreement has focused on development of state of the art Industrial research centre at FIEDMC, Standardization of products manufactured in the industrial area at par with international standards and customized trainings to be provided by IQTM faculty members to the industrial units at FIEDMC.