Govt urged to provide infrastructure for SMEs

FCCI chief says haphazard industrial growth has caused many civic problems

FAISALABAD: The government must provide basic infrastructure for a systematic and planned development of the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector and also step up efforts for early establishment of mega industrial estates, said Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Rana Sikandar-e-Azam Khan.

He was talking to Pakistan Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) Regional Director Muhammad Amin Awaisi, who visited the FCCI along with his team and spoke about the proposed setting up of small industrial estates in various districts of the Faisalabad Division.

Khan was of the view that haphazard industrial growth had sparked multiple civic problems because of which industries had to repeatedly shift from one place to another. “We must learn from this situation and take appropriate and futuristic measures for planned industrial growth in other districts of the Faisalabad Division,” he stressed.

The FCCI president added that more than nine industrial clusters had been identified in Faisalabad but the civic regulatory authority agreed to regularise only three of them. However, no proper notification has been issued in this regard.

He urged the PSIC to develop maximum number of small industrial estates in other districts and called for the provision of proper infrastructure and basic facilities in a bid to avoid unplanned, haphazard and mushroom growth of the industrial sector.

He pointed out that a scheme had been launched in Chiniot for developing the furniture sector as a cottage industry.

“In this connection, applicants can apply for interest-free loans of up to Rs50,000,” he said. “On the other hand, loans of up to Rs300,000 will be provided at service charges of only 5%.”

The FCCI president said 343 canals of land had been proposed for the small industrial estate in Kamalia, adjacent to Kamalia Sugar Mills, where drainage facility was already available.

“Although gas supply is still unavailable in this area, the electricity grid is situated just eight kilometers from the site,” he said.

Regarding the industrial estate in Jhang, Khan said it would be spread over 114 acres of land where gas and underground water were available.

Speaking on the occasion, Awaisi said PSIC would encourage loom-owners to weave Khaddar and mats. The blanket industry would also be encouraged to set up its unit in Jhang, which already had expertise in the sector. He added that 25% quota had been earmarked to women, who could also avail the facility at a subsidised rate.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2020.

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