RECORDER REPORT

SIALKOT: President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Zahild Latif Malik, has said that the promotion of SMEs and women entrepreneurs was top on SCCI agenda.

Talking to a group of journalists on Friday he said that special attention had been given, by taking all possible measures, to resolve the problems being faced by the business community of Sialkot on priority basis.

The business community was facing serious shortage of skilled and semi-skilled workforce, which was hindering production activities in this export hub, he said. The SCCI President disclosed that in order to cope with the shortage of skilled workforce a Technology University was being established for producing skilled and semi-skilled workforce in accordance with the requirements and need of the local industry.

The SCCI President further said that “Knowledge City” spreading over 500 acres of land would be planned near Sambrial in which different Universities including National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and National Textile University Faisalabad will set their campuses.

He disclosed that Sialkot was earning more than US 2 billion dollars and strengthening the national exchequer through its exports. He pointed out that business community was committed to enhance the export volume despite certain financial constrains and other issues.

Zahid further added that trade delegations would be sent to Canada, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Thailand and Vietnam in near future in collaboration with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) for the promotion of bilateral trade with these countries.

He underscored the need for revision of trade policy on top priority basis aimed at averting the fast decline of exports of the country adding that government should take aggressive approach for formulation of trade policy. Under the prevailing circumstances government must focus more attention on preparing business friendly trade policies to cope with fast decline of exports of country, he stated.

The SCCI President further added that government should provide special incentives to encourage the export of high priority sectors like textile and clothing, surgical and dental instruments, leather products, sports goods, footwear, gems and jewelry and furniture.

Similarly potential sectors like surgical implants, composite products, light engineering products, printing and packing, sportswear, fitness apparel, gloves and musical instruments etc., needed special focus and facilities to perform optimally, he added.