SIALKOT, Aug 20: Businessmen have formed a committee consisting of stakeholders from all trade associations to monitor the current status of the local Export Processing Zone (EPZ).

During a meeting chaired by Punjab Industries Minister Muhammad Ajmal Cheema at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) auditorium here the other day, representatives of all the trade bodies showed their concern regarding the status of the EPZ.

They demanded de-notification and abolition of the existing EPZ and developing a new one offering more trade and export incentives and that the whole city be announced an Export Processing Unit after the abolition of the existing EPZ.

Prof Safdar Sandal, the chairman of the Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association, said their 17-year-old dream of the EPZ was still to be realised due to a lack of trade and export incentives being offered at the existing EPZ, as only two local entrepreneurs had set up their industrial units at the EPZ so far. He said that immediate de-notification of the EPZ was indispensable.

District Nazim Akmal Cheema, District Coordination Officer Capt (r) Atta Muhammad Khan, SCCI President Sheikh Abdul Waheed Sandal and representatives of the local manufacturers and exporters attended the meeting. Next meeting will be held by the end of this month. — Correspondent