Lahore: Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Chaudhry Shafay Huassian said on Saturday that the Punjab government had introduced a new industrial policy for free industrial zones, with an attractive four-year lease offer and a 30-day NOC time period.
Talking to the media at the inauguration of 11th Colour and Chem Expo 2026, a two-day international exhibition for the chemicals industry, here at Lahore Expo Centre, he added that anyone could set up an industry in the industrial estates of Sheikhupura, Bhalwal and Rahim Yar Khan with offers of zero percent duty on imports of machinery and no income tax for 10 years.
Organisers Rashidul Haq and Abdul Rahim Chughtai, and others were also present. Following the inauguration, the minister took a round of a wide range of domestic and international exhibitors, reviewing the latest products, technologies and innovations on display.
He said, Chinese companies had already begun making significant investments in Punjab to avoid costly labour, adding that several new manufacturing plants across various sectors would be established during the current financial year.
This year, he explained, new industries are being set up in pharmaceuticals, synthetic leather, the food sector, lithium batteries, electric bikes, tiles, etc.
Chaudhry Shafay Hussain noted that, under the Punjab government’s new industrial policy, investors were being offered attractive incentives in free economic zones to encourage industrial growth.
The minister announced that a dedicated policy for the development of Pakistan’s chemicals industry was being introduced to strengthen the sector and promote investment.
Commenting on regional developments, he said, Pakistan’s citrus industry had been adversely affected by the gulf region conflict and stressed the need to accelerate progress on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. He added that future reductions in global oil prices would largely depend on the restoration of peace and stability across the region.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to sustainable transport, the minister said that promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and electric bikes remained a key priority in the wake of ongoing global energy crisis.
He also revealed that the first-ever chip frame manufacturing plant in the country, Vivo Mobiles, currently under construction in Punjab with 40 percent completion, was expected to commence production within the next year. Similarly, he added that lithium batteries would also be manufactured by Chinese companies soon.
The minister further said the Punjab government has approved funds for the infrastructure building at 24 small industrial estates across the province, adding at least 70 percent of traders got benefit from Asaan Tajir Scheme.
The provincial government is further bringing a new scheme of providing loans up to Rs 100 million for large-scale industrialists.
Expo organiser Rashidul Haq said the exhibition features 350 local and international exhibitors, providing a platform for business networking, investment and joint venture opportunities within the chemicals sector.
Convener Abdul Rahim Chughtai urged the government to introduce industry-friendly policies aimed at reducing production costs, encouraging local manufacturing of raw materials and enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistan’s chemicals industry.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Faheemur Rehman Sehgal called for a reduction in the petroleum levy to ease the financial burden on businesses.
Meanwhile, FPCCI Senior Vice President Saqib Fayyaz Magoon said, rising production costs had become one of the most significant challenges facing the business community, noting that several multinational companies had scaled down or withdrawn their operations from Pakistan in recent months.
The 11th Colour and Chem Expo 2026 will continue until Sunday, bringing together industry leaders, manufacturers, investors and policymakers to explore emerging trends, technologies and business opportunities in the chemicals sector.
