Punjab and Austria Can Work Together on Affordable Green Energy Projects and Rural Electrification

Friday, September 27, 2019

A team of Austrian Businessmen led by Richard Bandera, Austrian Trade Commissioner called on Dr. Salman Shah, Adviser to Chief Minister on Economic Affairs and Planning. Secretary Irrigation Punjab, Saif Anjum was also present on the occasion.The team discussed in detail with the Advisor on potential of Punjab as a good investment and business destination and appreciated the efforts of the Government of Punjab in taking steps in improving the business and investment environment in the province

Dr. Salman Shah on the occasion said that Austria and Pakistan have good diplomatic and trade relations and Punjab looks forward to collaborate on different areas especially affordable green energy projects. Punjab with it's huge canal network is an ideal location for businesses working on competitive hydel and solar energy projects. He stressed on the importance of having affordable energy for people via offgrid solutions and expressed interest in public private partnership projects that can support Rural Electrification plans of the government, he added. Dr. Shah encouraged the Austrian businesses to visit areas of potential interest and come back with projects that can be run in PPP mode. He informed that the government of Punjab is looking at Public Private Partnership with national and international businesses to support development and economic growth in the province.