Cluster of cottage industries demanded along CPEC route

Multan chamber chief believes small units will reduce poverty

MULTAN: The business community of southern Punjab has demanded that the Punjab government establish a cluster of cottage industries in different cities of the province for taking more benefits from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.



“The Punjab government should execute its project of cottage village in Multan and establish a cluster of cottage industries in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur and other areas along the CPEC route in southern Punjab,” said Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Fareed Mughis Sheikh in a statement on Monday.  He suggested that the cottage industry should be set up along the CPEC route after every 150 to 200 kilometres in order to give a boost to the economy. Apart from this, he said, additional steps should be taken for the promotion of such industries in an effort to reduce poverty and steer the country out of economic problems, particularly the ones faced by the southern region.

“The government should establish small and medium-scale enterprises to facilitate the women working at home. These women knit carpets and stitch beautiful clothes laced with embroidery, so the government must promote such women and provide them a platform to earn a better living,” Sheikh said.



Sheikh said about 70% of businesses fell in the category of cottage industry and small and medium units but the sector was totally neglected.

“How can Pakistan become a success story when its cottage industry, small traders and women feel sidelined?” he asked. “The government has to revisit some of its policies.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2016.

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