SIALKOT: The construction work of the Sialkot Business and Commerce Centre (SBCC) has been lying suspended for more than two years because of funds’ paucity, due to which Sialkot exporters and stakeholders of this mega projects are much perturbed, seeking the federal government’s help in early issuance of the needed funds to complete this project for booming Sialkot’s exports.
The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and the SMEDA had started this mega project of establishing an international standard Sialkot Business and Commerce Centre (SBCC) adjacent to the grand building of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2007.
The centre was planned for providing international standard trade and export-related services to the Sialkot exporters to display their world-class export items, besides enabling the foreign customers to visit and see the Sialkot-made world class items at one place instead of visiting factories.
Then federal minister for industries Jehangir Khan Tareen had laid the foundation stone of this project on July 10, 2007. The project had to be completed in a stipulated period of two years in 2009.
Early release of the direly needed funds of Rs 180 million had become vital to ensure the early completion of this project, in the larger interest of the Sialkot exporters and industrialists.
On May 10, 2014, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ch Ahsan Iqbal visited the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). During his visit, he assured the early provision of Rs 180 million funds, but after a year of Ch Ahsan Iqbal’s visit to the SCCI, the government has so far released only Rs 40 million against the total demand.
Now, Rs 140 million are still needed to restart this mega project’s suspended construction.
All the main trade bodies of Sialkot, including the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) and Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PGMEA), have urged the federal government to ensure the early release of funds for completing the project.
