The establishment of Institute for Surgical Technology and revamping of Metal Industry Development Centre, Sialkot (MIDC) are in doldrums. The main objective of the establishment of the institute was to produce trained and skilled workforce for catering the needs of the surgical industry.
Sources in MIDC said that Punjab government had approved both the projects in 2007 and funds were also released but unfortunately no progress had yet been made in this regard.
MIDC is supposed to provide modern facilities, technology and advisory services to businessmen. The old machinery installed in the MIDC has become outdated due to which the centre has become useless for the SMEs. Currently the MIDC is under the control of Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), which miserably failed to undertake the revamping work.
The small manufacturers and exporters engaged with surgical industry are facing serious hardships due to non-availability of services in metal industry development centre (MIDC). The business community has urged the Punjab government to take immediate steps for the completion of the projects to facilitate business community.