UNIDO, Pakistan begin deliberations for inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Pakistan

The government of Pakistan had expressed interest for strengthening cooperation with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to promote Inclusive and sustainable Industrial Development in the Country. This lead to the development of Country Program Framework for Pakistan under the leadership of Ministry of Industry and Production in collaboration with other line ministries and local governments. The CP will also consider the features of Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) for economic development, PCP is UNIDO’s innovative model for accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States. Aligned with the national development agenda and focused on sectors with high growth potential, the programme supports a country in achieving its industrial development goals.  In this context and after the initial survey of the industrial development situation, UNIDO HQ mission comprise of Mr. Zhen Wang, Chief, Asia-Pacific Regional Division and Mr. Nobuya Haraguchi, Senior Officer, Research & Industrial Policy Advice Division visited Pakistan and along with Country Representative and team held consultative meetings with the key stakeholders in Islamabad.

The mission initiated its deliberations with the briefing at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by technical and strategic level consultations with the high ranking government officials from the Ministries of Industries & Production, Climate Change, Science & Technology, Commerce, Planning, Development & Reform, Board of Investment and Economic Affairs Division. The team also had consultative discussions with heads of academic and development partners including National University of Science and Technology (NUST), EU delegation and Asian Development Bank, Japanese Embassy along with the final meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan.

The delegation also paid a field visit to Lahore and had consultation with local government. Industrial development is incomplete without the inputs of private sector, hence two major consultations held with representatives of various Chambers of Commerce and Industry from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, KPK and FPCCI in Lahore to CEOs of few Industries. A prospective of Industrial cluster was also been taken into account while visiting a garment factory in Lahore.

All meetings focused on how to align the CP with economic and industrial policies of government of Pakistan and also with the CPEC which is also government's priority and vital to economic growth of Pakistan.  The draft of the five years Country Program Framework for Pakistan from year 2018 to 2022, highlighting its objectives to promote ISID in line with SDGs and Pakistan Vision 2025 will have a focus on (i) promoting industrial competitiveness and global trade; (ii) promoting resilient industrial infrastructure optimizing the benefit of the SEZs under the framework of CPEC; (iii) promoting green industry development; and (iv) strengthening partnership with local government and DFIs. The final document of the Country Program Framework is expected to be signed with the government later this year in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of UNIDO-Pakistan Cooperation.