FAISALABAD: The maiden “chip” manufacturing unit of Pakistan will be established in Faisalabad while the provincial government has already allotted 50 acres of land for the construction of a state-of-the-art expo centre in M3 Industrial Estate, said Chaudhary Shafay Hussain, Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce & Investment. Addressing the business community in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he said that the proposed expo centre could be constructed with funding from Export Development Fund (EDF). He said that the government has made key decisions for the expeditious colonisation of M3 and Allama Iqbal Industrial Estates. He said that the chip manufacturing unit will revolutionise the mobile phone assembly plants which are already operating in Faisalabad, Karachi and Lahore. He said that Faisalabad will be the third city after China and India in the region where chip manufacturing facilities are available. He said that foreigners working in M3 and Allama Iqbal Industrial Estates would be provided with the best facilities as a community centre for foreigners will be constructed in addition to the completion of boundary wall and establishment of a monitoring cell. “Security cameras would also be installed”, he said and added that steps are being taken to provide banking and commercial facilities to the industrial units operating in these industrial estates. He said that similar steps are also being taken to fully colonize the industrial estates across the province. He said that a renowned industrialist Anjum Nisar was intending to shift to Vietnam but now he has been convinced to invest in Punjab. “The government has also resolved issues faced by the pharmaceutical sector which would attract new investment in this area,” he added. The provincial minister said that textile is the iconic identity of Faisalabad as Pakistan was harvesting 13 to 14 million bales of cotton every year earlier which has now nosedive to 2 to 3 million bales. He said that the Punjab government has initiated a programme to enhance cotton production and in this respect high yielding and disease resistant seeds are being developed through R&D. About Small Industrial Estate in Faisalabad, he said that its infrastructure issues are being resolved while Punjab government is also offering interest-free loans under “Assan Karobar” Scheme. He said that special emphasis is being laid on the production of skilled human resources and three women training centres could be established during 2026 in Gujrat, Layyah and Sahiwal, however Faisalabad would also get this facility in its second phase. He said that Faisalabad and Shymkent, a city of Kazakhstan are being declared twin cities which will open new avenues of cooperation between these major industrial cities. Farooq Yousaf Sheikh, President FCCI welcomed the provincial minister and said that colonisation of M3 and Allama Iqbal Industrial Estates have been geared up after the appointment of Azhar Waqar as Chairman FIEDMC. He pointed out the trust deficit between government intuitions and private sectors has dampened our exports. He said that 32 departments are harassing the industrial sector while containers already cleared by the Customs officials are being harassed on the way to the port city. He also pointed out the high cost of production due to the exorbitant rise in the prices of electricity and gas. Similarly, refunds were earlier cleared after 15 days which are now paid to the exporters after 90 days. “This has prompted a liquidity crunch among the exporters”, he said and added that the business community could enhance exports to USD 100 billion if a congenial atmosphere and uninterrupted policies are introduced. Vice President Engr Asim Munir, Executive Members Muhammad Ali, Waheed Khaliq Ramay, Former President Muzammil Sultan, Madam Najam Afzal, Mujtaba Hassan, RiazulHaq, SaqibMajeed, Tanvir Riaz and Muhammad Tayyab participated in the question-answer session while Senior Vice President Mr. Naveed Akram Sheikh offered a vote of thanks. Later President Mr. Farooq Yousaf Sheikh decorated Shafay Hussain with a collar pin to mark the 50 Years Golden Jubilee Celebrations of FCCI. He also presented him FCCI shields and gifts. Later the Provincial Minister recorded his impressions in the FCCI visitor’s book. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026