Pakistan Ordnance Factories

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07-11-2006

Private and Public Sector Partnership is the dire need of recent era. We should make collective efforts to bridge the gap between private and public sector organizations. This was stated by Major (R) Habibullah Warraich, Federal Minister for Defence Production while addressing a two day Seminar held under the auspices of Pakistan Ordnance Factories Wah Cantt this morning. He said that the theme of Seminar “Private – Public Sector Partnership” is very appropriate in the changing industrial culture world over and I must compliment POF for inviting a galaxy of industrialists and experts from all sectors of the industry, trade and commerce. He said that all speakers have presented their elaborate and thought provoking papers in conveying the desire of the public sector to enhance the capabilities of private sector and work in harmony for an effective utilization of resources in both cultures. Federal Minister for Defence Production said that POF is undoubtedly the major defence industry in Pakistan and with its vast resources and range of products and has presented itself as an ideal industrial complex for the other industries to seek guidance and help. Major (R) Habibullah Warraich said that in Pakistan the rapidly expanding automobile and oil and gas sector and the ever-vibrant textile sector need the support from the public sector industries. He complimented the efforts of Lt Gen Syed Sabahat Husain, Chairman POF Board in involving private sector in multi faceted joint ventures.

Earlier Lt Gen Syed Sabahat Husain, Chairman POF Board while presenting his keynote address said that POF was the lifeline to the Pakistan Armed Forces since its creation and has played a very vital role in the development of both the present public as well as private sector industries. Chairman POF Board said that over the years our industry has not only expanded in size and volume but has also excelled in the acquisition of new technologies and diversification of its product range. This in term has given the country the essentially required “self reliance” boosting trade and reducing imports. Chairman POF Board said that POF has been actively engaged in materializing joint ventures with friendly countries in Hi-Tech and State of the Art arms and ammunition. He disclosed that “we are going to sign a MoU with two developed countries for joint ventures in some Hi-Tech arms and ammunition on the occasion of IDEAS 2006. Chairman POF Board said we would welcome the private sector in Pakistan for setting up joint ventures in various fields in addition to defence production. He called upon the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Industrialists and CEOs of various public sector organizations to come forward and benefit from each other's experiences. Lt Gen Syed Sabahat Husain, Chairman POF Board said that this was a high time to venture into the emerging technologies in armament production be it in the field of design, materials, processes, management and marketing. Chairman POF Board said that the purpose of organizing this two day Seminar is manifold. Firstly we wish to interact with private sector of Pakistan for helping each other in many fields. Secondly we would like to show our facilities and vastness and our products range and identify products and services where we can cooperate. The foremost purpose is to help bridge the gap between the two industrial cultures.

During the first session Mr. Khawar Nawaz, Member Production Coordination POF Board presented his paper on “POF's contribution in the Development of Engineering sector in Pakistan”. Mr. Nawaz elaborated the strength of POF with special focus on Private – Public Sector Partnership. His paper was based on the production capabilities of POF, its subsidiaries and range of products. He also pointed out various fields for cooperation with private sector. The second paper was presented by Mr. Khalid Mohsin, Chief Executive of Itehad Steel Islamabad and Ex-President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on “Steel Sector Overview, The way Forward”. His paper was based on comparative study of production capabilities and strength of various countries in producing steel. He said like India and China, Government should encourage private sector for setting up Steel Industry due to its growing demands in the future. Mr. Shahab Khawaja, Chairman Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) presented his paper on “Using Private Public Sector Partnership to Leverage Private Sector Resources”. He said SMEDA has been endeavouring to encourage small and medium enterprises in various sectors. He said that Jems and Jewellery sector has a great potential to enhance its exports if this industry is provided adequate guidance and help. While quoting an example he said that the Government of Japan was spending as much as 10 billion US $ per annum to encourge small and medium enterprises. He said that joint ventures between private and public sector is imperative in the present global scenario.

 

08-11-2006

“Pakistan Ordnance Factories have been opened for joint ventures, joint training and joint Research and Development with private sector. We want to make POF a hub of national industrial activities”. This was stated by Lt Gen Syed Sabahat Husain, Chairman POF Board while giving concluding remarks on the second day of two day Seminar on “Private – Public Sector Partnership” held here this evening. He said that at the time of partition in 1947 we had no industrial base at all. All infrastructure of defence and other industries went to Indian share so we had to start from the scratch. During the last 55 years we have made tremendous progress in every industrial field. With the passage of time and now Pakistan was the only Muslim Nuclear Power in the world. While presenting his Vision 2020, he said that Public and Private Sector partnership was the foremost goal of present management of this premier defence production organization. Lt Gen Syed Sabahat Husain said that Pakistan there was no dearth of resources in our country. Our talented experts had excelled in all spheres of life the world over. He complimented the speakers for presenting thought provoking papers during the Seminar.

Earlier Maj Gen Zaheer Ahmad Khan, Director General Military Vehicles, Research & Development Establishment (MVRDE) presented the introduction of his organization and said that his organization has been engaged with as many as 20 private companies in connection with the production of various equipments. Similarly ARDE and Institute of Optronics have also been engaged with private sector for production of various items.

Secretary Board of Investment Mr. Talat Rasheed Mian presented his paper on “Investment Climate and Opportunities in Pakistan”. He said that during the last seven years our macro economic conditions have been stabilized enormously. The present Government has introduced a lot of structural and capital market reforms which resulted in liberal investment regime in Pakistan. He said that as a result of policy reforms, we have succeeded in fast tracking privatization, liberalization and deregulation process of various sectors. He said that the economic indicators of the country have been improved considerably. Our DGP has grown up to 6.6. percent during 2006 in spite of drastic Earthquake calamity. Our Stock Market have shown excellent results. Secretary BOI said that we equally treat local and foreign investors and presently as many as 600 foreign companies have been doing business in various sectors especially in Power, Information Technology, Agriculture, Tourism and Oil and Gas.

The second speaker Dr. Aamir Ali from Millat Tractors enumerated the benefits of the partnership between private and public sector. He said that both the sectors could excel in many fields with combined efforts.

The third speaker Mr. Sameer Hoodbhay, Chief Executive Officer, Data Communication presented his paper on “Indigenizaiton with Software”. He said that software industry has made tremendous progress during the last ten years as we had only 200 IT Graduates in 1996 and presently there are about 10,000 IT Graduates and many Diploma holders have been rendering valuable services in various organizations. He said that benefit of research and development in defence industry must trickle down to the civilian sector. A sincere and committed leadership is must for a successful public and private sector partnership, Mr. Sameer concluded.