LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Wednesday pledged to expedite its efforts for the early establishment of Cottage City on the pattern of Industrial Estates in the country.
LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh stated this, while speaking at oath-taking ceremony of newly elected office-bearers of Sewing Machine Association here. Chairman of the Association Ghulam Sarwar Hajvari also spoke on the occasion.
Irfan Sheikh said that a little attention towards cottage industry could help government get rid of many economic problems including unemployment and poverty that have now started taking their toll.
He said the cottage industry is widely acknowledged solution to fast increasing poverty and urbanization, however, the government would have to give a clear cut plan for strengthening this important area of business.
He said that cottage industries have also gained immense importance world over and there is great demand for hand-woven carpets, embroidered work, brassware, rugs and traditional bangles. These are also considered important export items and are in good demand in international market.
He said that a programme for developing and promoting cottage industries both in rural and urban areas is more feasible as compared to large scale industries that need huge resources. When people are employed gainfully in villages, the migration of people from rural to urban areas would also reduce.
The acute problems of housing, sanitation, education, transport and health would be reduced in urban areas, he added. The LCCI President said the Lahore Chamber would continue to facilitate the cottage industry people in the larger interests of the country.
On this occasion, the SMA Chairman Ghulam Sarwar Malik urged the government to allocate a piece of land measuring 100 acres for Cottage City in the province so that the people attached with the cottage industry could be able to work for the economic well-being of the country.
He said that the industry having a workforce of 25 million people and having a turnover of Rs 15 million per annum should be declared as cottage industry. He also urged the government to evolve a joint methodology in collaboration with the Lahore Chamber for increasing the exports of cottage industry products.
He said there was no second opinion about it that the Cottage industry has been a building block of economic development and it is the first form of manufacturing and pave the way for the industrial revolution as well as provides income to the state and creates employment opportunities.
Earlier, the LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh administered oath to newly elected Chairman of Sewing Machine Association Ghulam Sarwar Malik, President Haji Ch. Javaid Iqbal, Vice President Sh. Saeed Qaiser, General Secretary Mohammad Imran Mirza, Joint Secretary Amjad Ilyas, Press Secretary Shahzad Aslam and Treasurer Imran Alvi.
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