WILL SOON APPROACH GoI FOR OPENING CROSS BORDER TRADE WITH PAKISTAN- CM CHANNI

Shiv Kumar:

Amritsar, December 6: In a bid to boost the State’s economy, the Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday announced that he would soon write to the Government of India (GoI) besides seeking an appointment from the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to flag the issue for opening trade with the neighboring country of Pakistan.

Acceding to the major demand of the Ph.D. Chamber of Commerce & Industry, CM Channi announced that the foundation stone of a convention center for PITEX over an area of 10 acres would be laid within this week to enable the organization to carry out a diverse range of activities to promote trade and industry in the region in a big way.

In his address during the 15th Edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) here, CM Channi questioned if the trade can be carried by the sea route then why not the same is permitted through the land route as it would propel enormous opportunities of economic prosperity.

Likewise, CM Channi also said that a digital single window system would be put in place shortly to ensure all kinds of requisite permissions from a unified platform to the industrialists in a seamless manner. “This move would also enable them to apply for permissions from their homes to almost removing the user interface with the officials thus increasing transparency”, said Channi.

Listing the achievements of his government, CM Channi divulged that the State Government has withdrawn 40000 VAT related cases registered against the traders, abolishing the institutional tax, made the Right to Business Act, 2020 applicable, doing away with the need to obtain CLU in case of extension of factories and industrial areas, reduced 50 percent fixed charges thus giving huge respite to the industrial sector, Bringing down the number of 14 mobile squads to 4 thus ending inspector raj, up-gradation of focal points at a cost of Rs. 150 crore, One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for disputed cases besides a film city project are already on the anvil in Chandigarh to be developed over an area of 200 acres. “We are also planning to introduce curriculum in the educational institutions in line with the demands of the industrial sector with sharpened focus on skill development”, added the Chief Minister.

Citing the huge potential of Amritsar in religious tourism, CM Channi expressed satisfaction that Punjab has been ranked No. 1 in terms of infrastructure development in tourism sector. He also lauded the PITEX for its yeoman’s service in offering a big platform to the businessmen of the state especially the region and ensuring presence of five countries viz. Iran, Egypt, Afghanistan, Turkey and Thailand in the Expo. The Chief Minister also inspected the 450 stalls put up there and gave Best Indoor stall award to Sonalika with JAL company bagging the Best Outdoor Stall Award.

On the occasion, PPCC President Navjot Singh Sidhu also underlined the significance of the cross border trade. Describing Amritsar as the biggest market of Asia, he said that it would open new vistas of prosperity for Punjab as trade and business activities would be carried out with 34 countries. Underscoring the need to give fillip to MSMEs (small traders), the PPCC President said that our focus must be on enabling the youth to be job creators instead of job seekers.

Meanwhile, Co-Chair PHD Chamber Punjab Karan Gilhotra thanked the district administration for rendering all possible assistance for organizing PITEX-21 successfully.

Among others present on the occasion included MP Amritsar Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Medical Education and Research Minister Dr. Raj Kumar Verka, Convenor Amritsar Zone, Punjab State Chapter, PHDCCI and Assistant Secretary General, PHDCCI Naveen Seth.