PESHAWAR, 26 DEC (DNA) — The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has urged the federal government to ensure the release of required funds to complete the remaining work on the Peshawar Export Centre (PEC) project.
SCCI President Junaid Altaf raised concerns over the halt in work on the near-completion project due to the abolition of the Export Development Fund during a meeting with Secretary Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Shehryar Taj at the chamber house on Friday.
He called on TDAP to take up the matter with the government and higher authorities for immediate fund release.The meeting was attended by SCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Nadeem, Vice President Sabir Ahmad Banagash, former presidents and senior vice presidents, executive committee members, WCCIP President Qurtul Ain, a large number of traders, importers, exporters, women chamber members, and officials.
President Junaid Altaf demanded greater participation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in international exhibitions and special concessions to showcase the province’s potential globally and access international markets. He highlighted KP’s major export strengths including honey, furniture, medicines, gems and jewelry, marble, handicrafts, precious and semi-precious stones, halal meat, and arms, stressing the need for diversification, modernization, certification, value-addition, and cutting/polishing to meet global standards.
The SCCI chief raised traders’ concerns over dual checking of export consignments, non-functional Azakhel Dry Port, exclusion of KP from international exhibitions, lack of export-oriented processing units, modern warehouses, value-addition facilities, and product certification labs, urging TDAP’s technical and financial support to resolve these issues.
He briefed the meeting on SCCI’s efforts with government and institutions for KP’s economic growth, including an upcoming Tourism Conference in January, and called for joint SCCI-TDAP initiatives to boost provincial exports.
Junaid Altaf also demanded reconstitution of the Export Promotion Board of Pakistan, single-station checking of consignments, operationalization of Azakhel Dry Port, and priority exchange of technology and knowledge.
Responding to the proposals, Secretary TDAP Shehryar Taj, accompanied by senior officials, assured that TDAP-related issues would be addressed based on SCCI suggestions, while policy matters would be taken up with higher authorities.
He said TDAP is adopting a province-wise approach under the government’s vision to enhance trade and exports, assured efforts for funding the Peshawar Export Centre, and maximum KP participation in international exhibitions.
Former presidents, executive members, traders, and exporters also addressed the meeting, highlighting impediments to trade and export and proposing prompt solutions. — DNA
