Industry, innovation and infrastructure

SDGs

1. “ Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”

2. Targets of sdg 9 To ensure the equitable and affordable access of infrastructure to all the people. To promote sustainable industrialization which will provide a greater share of employment and GDP. To enhance the research in the scientific fields in order bring innovation in technology, infrastructure and industry. Provision of affordable and universal access to information technology especially internet in under-developed countries.

3. Content Problems Causes Effects Past Efforts Current Government Efforts Solutions

4. PROBLEMS Low GDP Contribution of Industries: 13.6% Low Employment Contribution: 14.1% Trade Deficit: 34% Shrinking Share in World Trade: 0.12% Delayed Progress in Infrastructure Projects Pakistan ranked at 109 out of 129 countries in Global Innovation Index Pakistan has only 167 research and development persons per million people compared to China’s 1,090 Not only a single Pakistani Research Journal in the field of science and technology has gained the exposure of international community

5. Causes There are many reasons/ causes for the decline in industrial sector; Weak Production Line Per-unit cost of production is very high Security Concerns for Industries Energy Crisis Inefficient Labour and Technology Poor quality of goods and services to compete in international markets No product diversification Pakistan only export raw material instead of value-added goods in the international market Inefficiency to hunt for new markets and a pattern of exporting to traditional markets of US and Europe

6. cAUSES Other issues related to Industrial Sector; Lack of Capital Inadequate Infrastructure Political Instability Technological Backwardness Low Foreign Investment High Inflation Rate Limited Markets Low Literacy Rate

7. Causes Causes for the delayed progress in infrastructure development; There is crisis of governance and implementation weakness. Each government design five-year plans but their implementation is questionable? Inefficient culture of merit in recruitments, promotion, evaluation and performance Orders are given but they are buried in files. Lack of political stability, poor law and order situation, transparency and equity concerns.

8. Causes Causes for lack of Innovation in Scientific Research; There is very low percentage share of GDP for scientific research and development in Pakistan. Educational institutions have low standards of science education. There are no special allowances or incentives for researchers in Pakistan. There is a huge communication gap between industries and researchers. This is the main hindrance for Pakistan in achieving scientific progress. HEC criteria of promotion lies upon the quantity of research publications produced instead of their quality. This is the main reason lack of productivity in research.

9. effects

10. PAST efforts 1947: Little industry, few services and no manufacture 1955-60: Industrial growth was 23 percent per annum 1958-68: Decade of Development. Construction, electricity/gas, services sector increased. 1977-88: Decade of Economic Growth. Denationalization, Deregulation of interest rates, Liberalization and Reduction in tariff. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) successfully achieved infrastructure development. Projects like China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), METRO Bus Project and Orange line which were initiated through Chinese loans. Under CPEC billions of dollars investment projects will be initiated like coal, wind, solar and hydro power projects to serve the energy needs of the country.

11. Current government plans PTI launched the innovative program of Pakistan Citizen Portal which will enable citizens to register complaints, check the government ministries performances and participate in governmental affairs. Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme which will provide better infrastructure and will provide jobs to millions of people in related construction and services industries Prime Minister during his official visit to China from 25-28 April, 2019 proposed various areas to include in the Second Belt and Road Forum like labour mobility, cultural and digital connectivity, and sharing best practices in innovation and knowledge.

12. Solutions Make well planned strategies and policies that are able to run the industrial sector in efficient way. Provide loans on easy installments with low interest rate to industrialists and increase credit and other financing facilities to fulfill the need of capital for investment. Improve infrastructure especially establish road networks to link industrial units with markets. Make sure the supply of electricity to industrial sector by increasing the electricity generation through focus on alternative methods to produce electricity. Improve law and order situation to increase the foreign investment. Create such environment in a country in which foreign investor feel secure. Establish new industrial estates to expand the size of industry and provide tax concession to investors in investing in new industrial estates. Provide sufficient and cheap raw material to industry to lowering the cost by increasing the production of raw material.

13. Solutions Explore new markets for industrial products and increase the quality of local manufactured products to compete in foreign markets. Using the advanced technologies to increase the efficiency. It will help in lowering the cost and increasing the output. Pakistan is only one of the few countries which has a young labor force These young people are tools. Provide them skill, education, technology and make them a part of the own and world’s labor force. This can boost up the Pakistan Economy Increase technical institutions and provide skills to labor to increase the productivity of labor. Focus on increasing the exports and especially on decreasing the imports by making imports substitute goods in local industries. Pakistan is behind the world in institutions, infrastructure, and in human capital. We have no choice but to accelerate the pace to catch up with others

14. Solutions Population is increasing so we cannot govern them by sitting in Islamabad, Karachi. Peshawar, and Quetta Needs of the areas and communities could not be assessed by sitting in capitals Devolve, Decentralize, Delegate Authority at District, Tehsil, Union Council (Local Level) so that right decisions can be taken Devolving powers at the gross roots that people can themselves decide what they need Their must be accountability of the Provincial and Local governments but their must not be interference from the Federal Government. This way should ensured optimal allocation of resources