Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi assured the local traders that all efforts would be made to address their genuine problems so that they could accelerate the pace of business & economic activities and create a multiplier beneficial effect for the citizens.

He said this while addressing a large gathering of businessmen at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI). He said being a civic body, CDA was responsible to work for improving business environment so that entrepreneurs could promote the local economy and attract investment. For this purpose, facilitation of businessmen was high on our priorities, he added.

Speaking about setting up of a new Industrial Park in I-17 sector, he said that CDA would work further closely with ICCI to accelerate its establishment. He said that a committee should be formed comprising representatives of both organizations to work on this project.

He said Jinnah Super Market would be converted into City Centre and  an air-conditioned transport service would be introduced in Islamabad for the citizens. He said CDA was in the process of celebrating its golden jubilee and sought collaboration of ICCI for different projects.

He said previously there was no clear direction to develop Islamabad, due to which the federal capital was witnessing uneven development in different sectors. However, now a new vision had been made to develop Islamabad as a model city for which priorities were being re-set, he asserted.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr.Zahid Maqbool, President, ICCI highlighted the problems being faced by the businessmen and urged upon CDA to resolve them on priority.

He said land acquisition process for I-17 Industrial Park should be speeded up as there was no more space in current industrial estates for new industries due to which about 200 industrialists had moved to other places.

He said CDA should allow construction of multi storey buildings on industrial plots and allot land for construction of residential plazas in commercial centers for traders. Representatives of different markets also raised their issues for remedial measures.Mr. Karim Aziz Malik, Vice President, ICCI paid vote of thanks.