SIALKOT, July 10: The federal government on Tuesday launched three projects here worth Rs1 billion to boost Sialkot’s sport industry and help it face global trade challenges.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Jehangir Khan Tareen laid the foundation stone for a business & commerce centre and a sport industry development centre during his visit to the city. He also inaugurated the newly established National Institute of Design and Analysis on Defence Road.

Tareen said the government had allocated $2 million for the development of Sialkot’s sport and leather industries. He said the government would provide technical and financial assistance to boost the city’s soccer ball manufacture industry and added that all hurdles in the way of sport goods’ export would be removed.

Separately, Tareen addressed a meeting of the Pakistan Sport Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PSGMEA) at the auditorium of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He told the meeting the government would continue consulting businessmen on trade and export policies. He said common facility centres would be set up in Sialkot under the government’s ‘Sector development strategies’ project. He said the government had planned to invest Rs1.9 billion in the country’s marble industry during the next three years. He said Rs1.3 billion had been allocated for the gem and jewel industry.

Later, Tareen told a press conference the government would soon announce a special package for local and foreign investors.