Latest news with #PlanningandDevelopment
Hamilton Spectator
31 minutes ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Downtown Bolton Patio Pilot is opening doors for businesses involved
The Town of Caledon has launched its seasonal patio pilot program in Downtown Bolton. The pilot, running from July 28 to October 3, 2025, was created to support small businesses and enhance the downtown experience. Eric Lucic, Commissioner of Planning and Development, said the idea for the patio pilot came directly from feedback they received during community engagement in 2024. Residents and businesses, he said, told them they wanted to see more seasonal patios, more public gathering space, and a more walkable, lively downtown. 'This pilot gives us a chance to test those ideas in a real-world setting, gather feedback, and better understand what works for Bolton before making any decisions,' says Lucic. They believe the Downtown Bolton Patio Pilot will bring new energy and foot traffic to the core of downtown. 'It's an opportunity to reimagine how public space can be used to prioritize people, gathering, and local experiences. By enhancing the pedestrian environment and creating space for patios and cafés, we're supporting small businesses, encouraging tourism, and creating a more vibrant, livable downtown,' he says. There are currently two businesses involved in the patio pilot: Wine Spot and Blissfully Baked x The Little Almond. For Wine Spot, the patio brings back an element that they had during COVID. They originally had a temporary patio in the back of their restaurant. 'We think it's a fantastic way to bring more people to downtown Bolton and to increase pedestrians. The more pedestrians, the better it is for all businesses down there, so as soon as the application came out this year, we filled it out immediately, and we're really excited to see it come together so quickly this summer,' shared Kimberly Medeiros, co-owner of Wine Spot. She shared they have been excited for the pilot since the economic survey for downtown Bolton. Medeiros says they're excited for people to experience Downtown Bolton in a different way. 'We want to see a great vibrant downtown,' she says. Blissfully Baked x The Little Almond is using the pilot to help expand their accessibility. The cozy café is located on the lower floor, and co-owners Taylor Arrowsmith and Shaina Lindeyer said the patio pilot allows their customers another option as opposed to climbing down the stairs to enter their café. 'It's nice that they can still have the treat. We just take their order upstairs and then we bring it up to them; it's nice that they have a place to sit outside now,' said Lindeyer. They are also looking forward to another aspect of the pilot, the opportunity for more people to enjoy their outdoor space, and become more aware of their business. Since they are located downstairs, some people say they didn't even know they were there and wish they had found them sooner. 'But now with the patio you literally run into us now because we're on the street. So, I feel like it might also help grab more people's attention toward us,' laughed Arrowsmith. Walkway removal will begin on October 4, 2025; until then residents can soak up the sun with these new patios. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
China congratulates Pakistan on remote sensing satellite launch
Listen to article China has extended warm congratulations to Pakistan on the successful launch of its new remote sensing satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, reaffirming their close bilateral cooperation in science and technology. In a statement issued Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad commended Pakistan's achievement following a tweet from Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, who celebrated the milestone. "May this satellite further strengthen our iron brother's capabilities in land resource survey and disaster prevention and alleviation," the embassy said in response. Warmly congratulate the successful launch of a new remote sensing satellite for Pakistan from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China! May this satellite further strengthen our iron brother's capabilities in land resource survey and disaster prevention and alleviation. — Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) July 31, 2025 The launch is seen as a continuation of deepening strategic ties between the two countries, particularly under the umbrella of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which includes collaboration in space technology. Pakistan successfully launched its latest remote sensing satellite from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC), said the foreign ministry. The launch was carried out by SUPARCO, Pakistan's national space agency, in collaboration with the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and MICROSAT China. The ministry said the satellite would significantly enhance Pakistan's capacity for high-resolution, round-the-clock Earth observation. It will support a range of areas, including disaster management, urban planning, environmental protection, agricultural monitoring, food security, climate change analysis, and water resource management. The satellite is part of an integrated Earth observation system and is expected to boost Pakistan's socio-economic development and sustainability efforts. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar lauded the engineers and technical teams from SUPARCO and its Chinese partners for their 'exemplary cooperation and unwavering commitment.' 'This achievement reaffirms Pakistan's standing in the community of spacefaring nations,' the Foreign Office statement said. Officials say the satellite will also improve early warning systems and help respond to environmental risks more effectively. 🇵🇰✨ Alhamdulillah! Another URAAN of Pakistan! With the successful launch of our 4th Earth Observation Satellite from XiChang, China, Pakistan Space Programme has once again soared to new heights. 🚀 Congratulations to the people of Pakistan! Today marks another proud moment for… — Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) July 31, 2025 Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also congratulated the nation on the successful launch, calling it 'another proud moment' for the country. In a post on his official X handle, he said the achievement reflects the dedication and excellence of SUPARCO's team and marks a new milestone for Pakistan's space programme.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Ahsan for tapping mineral resources of Gwadar
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal emphasised on Sunday that Gwadar's vast mineral resources hold significant potential for exploration, which with the development of modern infrastructure can be fully leveraged for economic growth. During a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, Iqbal reviewed the progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and discussed preparations for the forthcoming Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, where critical decisions are expected to further enhance bilateral ties between the two countries. Iqbal noted that the first phase of CPEC had been successfully completed, with the second phase now focused on industrial cooperation, agriculture, information technology, and social development. 'Connecting CPEC to Central Asia will foster regional economic stability and broaden opportunities for economic cooperation,' he remarked. Minister urges early commencement of transshipment operations between Gwadar, Persian Gulf The minister reiterated the government's strong commitment to ensuring the security of CPEC projects, underlining that the development of Gwadar and the establishment of Special Economic Zones remain top priorities. He further stressed that Pakistan is determined to optimize the full potential of Gwadar port, particularly in terms of trade. He also highlighted ongoing collaboration with China in the agricultural sector, emphasising that agriculture graduates trained in China will be pivotal in mitigating the challenges posed by climate change in Pakistan. He added that the establishment of the Pakistan Space Centre was a project of national importance and acknowledged China's critical role in ensuring its timely completion. Ambassador Zaidong reaffirmed China's unwavering support for Pakistan's development initiatives and assured that bilateral cooperation would continue to deepen in the coming years. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, also participated in the meeting, which was attended by senior officials from both countries. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Civil service: body formed to propose reforms
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday ordered a comprehensive review of the country's sluggish civil service, setting a one-month deadline for a high-level committee to propose reforms aimed at modernising a bureaucracy widely seen as a drag on governance and development. In a high-level meeting, he announced the formation of a civil service reform committee headed by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, an MIT-trained technocrat, tasked with overhauling a decades-old bureaucracy long criticised for inefficiency, excessive red tape, and outdated practices. The prime minister called for a complete overhaul of recruitment, promotion, and performance evaluation systems, along with integrating modern technology to streamline and strengthen the country's ageing administrative machinery. 'We need a sustainable system that keeps pace with today's demands,' Sharif said, adding that good governance and easing the burden on ordinary citizens must be at the heart of any reform. The directive comes amid growing calls for a leaner, more efficient bureaucracy as the country faces mounting economic and governance challenges. The committee has been instructed to consult all relevant stakeholders and submit its report within a month. The planned reforms include recommendations for merit-based hiring, implementation of performance-based key performance indicators (KPIs), reform of the Annual Confidential Report (ACR) system, and enhancement of officer training through new technologies. A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said that the committee will also study civil service models in neighbouring countries to benchmark Pakistan's system. 'Reforms that make the bureaucracy people-friendly and efficient are a top priority for this government,' Sharif emphasised. The prime minister's message was clear: the civil service must evolve quickly. Observers note that previous committees have often produced limited results, but the government has set a tight deadline for concrete proposals. The move, framed as a push to 'bring the civil service into the 21st century,' reflects mounting frustration within Sharif's administration over what officials describe as chronic inefficiency, red tape, and institutional inertia. The civil service, a colonial-era holdover, is often criticised for rigid hierarchies and lack of performance-based accountability. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Cheema, Awais Leghari, Ali Pervaiz Malik, as well as advisers, Rana Sanaullah and Dr Jehanzeb Khan, secretary of the apex committee at the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Leaders
7 days ago
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Boosts Economic Cooperation with Ethiopia, Hungary
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim has held significant meetings with ministers from Ethiopia and Hungary to develop economic cooperation, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Held on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum, the meetings focused on boosting economic and commercial relation between Saudi Arabia and both Ethiopia and Hungary. Alibrahim has also met with Minister of Planning and Development of the Republic of Ethiopia Fitsum Assefa Adela and discussed commercial and investment relations between both countries. Moreover, he also explored new avenues to elevate the Kingdom's relations with Hungary during his meeting with the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjarto. Held from July 4 to 23, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) serves as the main United Nations platform for reviewing and following up on progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, the event brings together world leaders, ministers, policymakers, and stakeholders to assess efforts, share best practices, as well as foster commitments. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia, Spain Bolster Economic Cooperation Finance Minister Leads Delegation at 122nd GCC Financial, Economic Cooperation Meeting Saudi Arabia, China Boost Economic Cooperation with 24 Deals Short link : Post Views: 9
