SCCI chief vows to promote women entrepreneurship

President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Muhammad Ashraf Malik pledged to continue efforts for the betterment of business community without discrimination while special focus would be accorded on the promotion of women entrepreneurship in this export hub of the country.

Talking to Business Recorder here he said that it is heartening to note that despite of certain economic problems government was making strenuous efforts for enhancing exports and promotion of foreign investment in the country adding these steps would ensure improvement in the economy. The business community of Sialkot fully endorsed the Prime Minister's policy for enhancing the exports of the country and will extend full cooperation to the government in this regard Ashraf said.

The SCCI President was of the opinion that Artificial Intelligence, Lean Manufacturing and Information technology like subjects should be added in syllabubs of universities for tracking the industrial sector on modern manufacturing in the country. It could be achieved if modern educational institutions established in Sialkot for producing human resource for pushing export sector onward.

The industrial sector of this export hub had the capacity to double its export volume he added. He urged upon the government to establish most modern "Technology University" in this export-oriented city for catering the industrial needs as well as help in producing skilled labour.

The establishment of Technology University in the area is need of the hour for producing skilled human resource for export industry of Sialkot he said. Ashraf disclosed that Punjab government had allocated 500 acres of land in 2005 for the development of Swedish University but the mega project is still in limbo.

The SCCI President further added that a plan was prepared in 2016 by the federal government for setting up "Knowledge City" which includes resident campuses of NUST and National Textile Faisalabad as well as a medical college but unfortunately the projects is still a pipe dream. Ashraf suggested that a quota of SMEs of Sialkot should be allocated enabling the youngsters to start their business which would be much supportive in enhancing the export volume.

Keeping in view the present situation of trade, the government should announce special incentives for the industry enabling it to play its instrumental role in enhancing the export volume of the country he said.