FAISALABAD– First ever state of the art furniture city will be developed over tract of land 150 acres in Allama Iqbal Industrial City Faisalabad to support Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to compete the standard of international market besides boosting exports manifold and attracting foreign investment for strengthening national economy.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq, chairman Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC), disclosed this while talking to a delegation of furniture exporters here on Monday at FIEDMC Camp Office.
He said they would provide infrastructure to furniture manufacturers besides offering all types of solution through one-window operation to help them in dealing with federal and provincial departments.
He said projects of such important should not be victim of redtapism. He said FIEDMC would be made a facilitation centre for investors too. By launching one window operation, they will provide facilities to the investors under one umbrella. He said there were vast opportunities of investment in various industrial sectors and we have to get benefit fully from these opportunities.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan categorically directed all the concerned departments to provide the best facilities to investors in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and following his directions, the government has delegated authority for implementing labour, environment and other laws and for collection of local and provincial taxes.
“The federal government departments including utility companies, Federal Board of Revenue and Securities and Exchange Commission will depute representatives to perform similar functions in the zone,” he added.
He further said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan has also offered a policy package to attract potential local and foreign investors and manufacturers.
“The incentive package includes onetime exemption from all custom duties and taxes on plant and machinery imported into Pakistan for installation in Special Economic Zones,” he added.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq further said FIEDMC would also set up ultra modern “Center for Excellence” for furniture industry to impart unique technology based training to wood working artisans and students to meet the international standard in furniture manufacturing products.
He said establishment of Center for Excellence will help to improve major performance indicators such as productivity, quality, competitiveness and sustainability and increase efficiency of furniture manufacturers in term of capacity building, productivity and all performance of the furniture sector.
He said the furniture industry in Pakistan must vigorously transform from cottage or small scale industry to innovative industry through training, upgrading supplies and imports, establishing a wood work institute and testing laboratories of international standards.
He also said that the public sector cannot alone achieve this goal and it is imperative for the private sector to play their part and cooperate in order to achieve this goal and concluded that the private sector is the engine of growth of this country.
“Our aim is to generate more employment so that the ultimate goal of job creation within the province can be achieved,” he concluded.— PRESS RELEASE
