AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi, March 09, 2015 (PPI-OT): The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) invited the attention of the provincial governments to the difficulties faced by the SME scrap tyre importers and the SME industrial units who are put to cumbersome procedures by the objections raised by the provincial environment ministries.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver pointed out that although the Trade Policy (TP) allows the import of scrap tyres as alternate fuel the provincial governments are making a fuss and not issuing the required no objection certificates (NOC) to all the importers. The NOC is issued to only a handful of units. As a result about 800 SME units are closed unnecessarily.
Thaver said if the environment ministry is satisfied that the unit is equipped with the devices then it should not hold back the NOC for any other reason. It is indeed strange that the big players are getting the NOCs whereas the SME units are made to run from pillar to post.
Thaver quoted the TP which states ” In order to save the local tyre industry and to encourage the use of tyre scrap as alternate fuel, it has been decided that import of waste and second hand tyres shall be allowed only in the shape of at least two inch pieces detached from each other to industrial consumers only subject to fulfilment of environmental requirements.”
He said most of the SME units involved in this business are fully equipped to absorb the hazardous fumes which are controlled and channelized not to harm the environment and this fact is known to the ministries however the units could be inspected thoroughly and if for any valid reason the environment seems under threat the unit must be refused the permission.
The SME units need encouragement to contribute to the energy crisis resolution and every alternate energy contributor must be facilitated to set up alternate energy units be it solar, biomass or windmill only then the policy makers will be thinking positively.
UNISAME has demanded subsidy for all SME units desirous of setting up alternate energy devices. UNISAME has appreciated the removal of import duties on alternate energy devices but has stressed the need to move forward to give subsidized finance for installation of alternate energy devices.
For more information, contact:
Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME)
75/1 3rd Commercial Street,
Phase IV, D.H.A., Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35884225-6
Fax: +92-21-35380642
Cell: +92-300-8245307, +92-321-8245307
Email: unisame@gmail.com