Govt to provide subsidized loans to youth

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the federal government has prepared a plan in consultation with the provinces to provide subsidized loans to the youth for the promotion of small industries in rural areas.

Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad today regarding the Capacity Building of 1,000 agricultural graduates in China, the Prime Minister was confident that this will enhance our exports.

Shehbaz Sharif also emphasized the need for revitalizing the agri-research institutes to uplift the agriculture sector.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the young graduates will receive modern agricultural training in China and on their return will contribute to the agri-economy in terms of higher yields, hybrid seeds and dealing with climate-induced challenges.  

Shehbaz Sharif thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for supporting this training program for Pakistani agricultural graduates. He said our outstanding and talented graduates through their hard work and conduct will not only enhance Pakistan's image in China but around the globe.   

He said China is a close friend of Pakistan which has always stood with us in difficult times.

The Prime Minister said the first batch of 300 agriculture graduates has been selected on merit.  The graduates from all four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan have been made part of this training program.  He assured that the remaining 700 graduates will also be selected on merit.

In his remarks on the occasion, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has prioritized the development of the agriculture sector.  He said Pakistan will witness a revolution in agriculture.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong highlighted the close partnership between Pakistan and China. He said his country stands ready to take concrete steps to foster an upgraded version of CPEC.