ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile on Friday recommended Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) proposals of the ministry amounting to Rs 25.626 billion for the financial year 2018-19. The recommendation was given during a meeting held today in parliament house under the chairmanship of Siraj Muhammad Khan, MNA. The Committee was separately apprised about the proposed PSDP of Commerce and Textile Divisions. The Additional Secretary, Commerce Division informed that the Division had proposed allocation of PSDP fund amounting to Rs 8,550 million for financial year 2018-19 for seven projects relating to establishment of new Exp-Centers at Islamabad, Quetta and Faisalabad, expansion/remodeling of Expo-Center at Karachi, provision hostel and transport facility to student at Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design, Lahore and an ongoing project relating to Expo-Center at Peshawar. Later the Secretary, Textile Division apprised the Committee about the proposed PSDP allocation for the project of Textile Division. He informed that Rs 11.012 billion had been proposed for five new projects whereas Rs 6.064 billion had been proposed for seven projects which were being resubmitted for approval by the Planning and Development Division. Apprising the committee about the new projects, the Secretary said that those projects related to establishment of National Textile University (NTU) Campus at Quetta, Garment City Project at Karachi, construction of new library at NTU campus at Faisalabad and implementation of system for standardization of high quality cotton. Apprising about the projects being resubmitted for approval related to PM Skill development program for Textile Industry and studies for climatic change, recycling of organic wastes, restoration of soil fertility and cost management in cotton production and marketing. The Committee after thorough discussion recommended the entire proposed PSDP of the Ministry for inclusion in Budget for next financial year. The Committee expressed satisfaction on the progress/implementation of the Committee’s recommendations by the Divisions concerned. The Committee directed Commerce Division to expedite the proposed amendment in Pakistan Tobacco Board Act which would ensure supply of registered and certified Tobacco seed to the growers. The meeting was attended by Haji Muhammad Akram Ansari, Minister of State for Commerce and Textile, MNAs; Ch. Asad-ur-Rehman, Mrs. Seema Mohiuddin Jameeli, Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb, Ms. Zeb Jaffar, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharral, Mr. Nazir Ahmed Bughio, Ms. Mussarat Ahmad Zeb, Ms. Sajida Begum, Dr. Fouzia Hameed, Mr. Sanjay Perwani, Secretaries Commerce and Textile Divisions and Senior Officers of the concerned departments. Published in Daily Times, February 10th2018.