President, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows serious resentment on ‘Punjab Small Industries Estate Policy, 2019’

Sialkot, December 23, 2019 (PPI-OT): Mr. Muhammad Ashraf Malik, President, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, showed serious resentment on “Punjab Small Industries Estate Policy, 2019” issued by Punjab Small Industries Estate Corporation vide letter # PSIC/EM/Policy Matters/2994 dated December 6, 2019. He declared it a conspiracy to economically annihilate Small and Medium Enterprises established within Small Industrial Estates of the Punjab. He said that business community had outrightly rejected the Policy due to its harsh and inconsiderate approach towards small businesses.

While referring to the harsh aspects of the policy, he said that Fees and Charges in respect of various services have been exorbitantly and irrationally enhanced without taking stakeholders into confidence; whereas, transfer of unconstructed projects has been subjected to 10% Exit Fees and 3% Transfer Fee in addition to deposit of 5% Non-Construction Fee for the first year and 10% for the second and subsequent years. Moreover, the allottees had been subjected to payment of Maintenance, Water and Severage Charges for unconstructed period of the project.

He said that the impugned policy had introduced draconian provisions of cancellation of allotments and imposition of penalties to the allottees, who had failed to construct their projects within the prescribed time limit. He expressed his concern over the impugned policy and questioned if promotion of business, trade and industry was really the priority of the Government.

He said that the policy had defeated the claim of the Government that they had been committed towards promotion of Industrialization and colonization of estates. He demanded that Government of the Punjab should immediately withdraw “Punjab Small Industries Estate Policy, 2019” and direct his officials to have consultative sessions with the stakeholders especially relevant Chambers of Commerce and Industry to devise a policy framework conducive to businesses in the current economic scenario. He warned that any coercive measures against the businesses would result in further deterioration of the economy and the industry.

He, however, expressed hope and appealed to Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chief Minister of the Punjab to pay special attention to the very sensitive issue relating to the export industry of Sialkot and to immediately issue instructions for withdrawal of the Policy, so that its industrial-friendly version, with consultation of stakeholders, be announced.

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