Multan is a hub of handloom, embroidery manual work and other handicrafts, therefore, federal and Punjab governments should develop a cottage village in Multan as per previous plan to introduce and promote Multani skills and work internationally. This was stated by President, Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Malik Asrar Ahmed Awan on Wednesday.
He said that thousands of women do artistic work on the cloth, headwear, and ladies garments and their work is getting space in world market. He urged the government to announce a package of incentives for the cottage industry, which is facing multiple internal and external challenges. He said that the MCCI would continue to work for the cause of the cottage industry, which is a backbone of the industry.
He said that the influx of massive Chinese semi-finished/finished goods has pushed a large number of vendors of the city to the wall and their revival sans government co-operation would be impossible therefore at this point it is absolutely necessary for the government to facilitate the small businesses.
Malik said that Pakistan must learn some lessons from the developed world as the people gave due attention towards their cottage industry and were today shining like anything. He said that the cost of doing business was touching the sky therefore it was imperative for the government to extend help to the cottage industry.
He said that the government should announce special electricity tariff for the cottage industry so that they could compete with foreign finished/semi-finished goods. Awan said that on the pattern of industrial estates, the Punjab government should allocate some area for the cottage industry.