Sialkot, March 15, 2023 (PPI-OT): On the occasion, the Honourable Commerce Minister acknowledged the role of the industrial city of Sialkot in the economic sustainability of the country over the years. He said that the business community of Sialkot had taken many revolutionary initiatives including the establishment of a private-sector airport and airline.
Syed Naveed Qamar, during his address to the community, said that the model of Sialkot should be replicated across Pakistan and termed it as the only solution toward prosperity. He said that the Government should always play the role of the facilitator to the business community and assured his all-out support to the export sector of Sialkot in the provision of an enabling environment to achieve export-led economic growth.
He also directed the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan for enhanced linkages with the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and amp; Industry and expedited the processing of the proposals of the Chamber. Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defence shared that Government was cognizant of the prevailing economic crisis and its effects on the business community.
He shared with the members of the Sialkot Chamber that the Government, under the patronage of Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif the Prime Minister of Pakistan, was striving to bring Pakistan out of the woods and the situation would start getting better from June 2023 onwards. Mr. Abdul Ghafoor Malik, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and amp; Industry, thanked both the Honourable Ministers for sparing time to visit the bustling city of Sialkot and for their patient hearing of the issues of the business community.
During his address, the President Chamber invited the attention of the Ministers towards the issues and proposals including but not limited to expediting the project of the Sialkot Industrial Zone, an extension of LTLD and DDT Schemes, withdrawal of EPD Circular Letter No. 01 of 2023, rebate on manicure pedicure/beauty instruments, and the abolition of 5% WHT on export companies for sector other than Surgical Instruments.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defence, and Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Commerce acknowledged the proposals and shared that the matters would be resolved at the earliest and a meeting would also be arranged with the Honourable Senator Mr. Ishaq Dar for the resolution of issues pertaining to Ministry of Finance and the FBR. The Defence Minister announced that the issue of EPD Circular Letter No. 01 of 2023 would be resolved on a permanent basis by March 24, 2023, as assured to the house by Federal Minister.
For more information, contact:
Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI)
Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat, Sialkot – 51310, Pakistan
Phone: +92-52-4261881-3
Fax: +92-52-4268835, +92-52-4267919
E-mail: sialkot@scci.com.pk
Website: http://www.scci.com.pk