KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has directed the provincial Industries Department to conduct a survey about sick industrial units in the province in consultation with Board of Investment (BOI) for taking necessary measures to make them functional.The chief minister was presiding over a meeting at the CM House here on Tuesday to review performance of industries.

He laid stress on proper utilisation of land allotted for setting up industries and cancellation of plots lying unused.He said industrial and agriculture sectors played important roles in economic development and created employment opportunities for a large number of people.

Mr Shah called for timely completion of small industrial estates, especially those in backward areas. He said there was a good potential for handicraft, pottery and agro-based industries in the province.

The chief minister said after the grant of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status by the EU, Pakistani products would get increased access to the European market. But for truly benefiting from this opportunity the country needsvibrant industrial units. For the purpose, he said, there should be plans for setting up new garment factories.

He asked Industries Department officials to work for establishing a small industrial estate in Tando Mohammad Khan.

Mr Shah expressed resentment over delay in completion of an effluent treatment plant in Kotri and ordered formation of an inquiry committee comprising representatives of the Industries Department and Environmental Protection Agency.

Earlier, Secretary Industries Shazia Rizvi briefed the meeting on the working of the Industries Department, ongoing schemes and future plans.