Gilgit (Bureau report): Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Khalid Khurshid spent a busy day in Gilgit city attending a number of events in connection with trophy hunting, soft loans, and plantation campaign.
He also met with a Norwegian delegation visiting Gilgit-Baltistan to explore opportunities to work in the power sector in G-B.
While addressing the prize distribution ceremony, the CM G-B directed the provincial forest minister to take steps to increase trophy hunting licenses next year. He also gave direction to develop a policy regarding the issuance of trophy hunting licenses for snow leopards.
While addressing the ceremony, he said the government is taking strict measures to prevent illegal hunting. Trophy hunting fee will be paid to the communities which will help identify the illegal hunters.
For the first time, 82% of the plants are being purchased from local nurseries for the plantation campaign as the government is taking steps to promote local nurseries, said CM GB.
He also attending a function in connection with the distribution of cheques of soft loans to IT start-up companies. He distributed cheques of soft loans to various start-up companies.
Addressing the event, the Chief Minister said G-B will become the hub of information technology soon. The government has established IT parks for the promotion of IT. For this purpose, Rs.10 crores have been allocated for IT soft loans, which will be further increased.
He said 50 percent IT soft loans will be given to women. The loan will be increased in the budget of the next financial year covering various other sectors along with IT.
The chief minister also met a Norwegian delegation visiting Gilgit-Baltistan to explore investment opportunities in the power sector.
Talking to the delegation, the CM G-B said investors in green and alternative energy projects will be strongly encouraged by his government.
There are vast investment opportunities in the power sector in Gilgit-Baltistan, said the CM.
He said the feasibility of various power projects has been done in G-B. G-B will seek to benefit from the Norwegian power technology to ensure system upgradation and efficient power sector.
The Norwegian delegation expressed its interest to invest in system upgradation and various solar energy projects in Gilgit-Baltistan.
