LAHORE:Senior Provincial Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal on Tuesday proposed to establish a Handicraft Council and a Souq in Lahore for better marketing of handicrafts sector.
The government would also work on increasing awareness for development of products in handicraft industry.
He expressed these views while addressing a public private dialogue arranged by Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) to resolve the problems faced by stakeholders.
Director DT&C, Fatima Ali khan welcomed the participants and said that PBIT was arranging these Public Private Dialogue to bring together notable stakeholders and ultimately prepare an action plan with a view boosting export of handicraft products.
Mian Aslam Iqbal said that today the national planning process was more participatory, collaborative, people and market oriented. The minister assured the participants that their suggestions were well noted and would be discussed in the pre-budget sessions to develop a better economic strategy for economic progress. He directed the officers of various departments concerned to note the issues and suggestions of participants. He disclosed that Punjab government would facilitate in increasing their business growth to expedite the industrialization, which would ultimately provide youth with immense employment opportunities and stabilize economy in the long run.
This meeting thoroughly held deliberations on the various issues faced by artisans and manufacturer, and suggested number of proposal for their amicable resolution. The participants expressed that there was need of training of skills and government should facilitate machinery and proper courses for procurement and supply chain. The need of a directory and strong data base for producers and manufactures of handicraft was also emphasized. In addition, participants suggested that government should give small grants instead of bank loan to this sector.
The PBIT Chairman Fazeel Asif said, “Plans succeed only when stakeholders play their upright roles, provide equal opportunities to all and assign a very well defined role to government as a supporter, facilitator and regulator.” He added that an online portal and product catalogue for handicraft sector would be developed on immediate basis.
Participants at the roundtable emphasized that the SME sector needed to see credible commitment and follow up from federal government that they were willing to make further investment if they receive government support including simplification of cumbersome process and procedures through effective one window facilitation.
Provincial Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal said in his closing remarks that having taken necessary short term actions to stabilize the economy, it was logical that the focus shifted towards the medium to long term framework that would bring Pakistan economy to its full strength and potential.
Representatives from Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Layyah Women CCI, Gilgit Baltistan WCCI, Dastkar and various other prominent handicraft organizations, the Bank of Punjab, TDAP, ICI & SD, PSIC, PSDF, SMEDA actively participated in the dialogue.