SIALKOT, March 18: Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has urged the government to introduce some long-term trade policies for the promotion of export culture in the country.

SCCI senior vice-president Raja Mohammad Athar Dar while talking to newsmen on Monday said the government should give incentives to the SMEs including provision of loans at lower mark-up rates for enhancing country’s exports.

Dar said that more than 5,000 Sialkot-based SMEs were playing their role in strengthening the economy, by earning foreign exchange to the tune of $650 million annually.

He said the Sialkot business community deserves a special package of incentives so that it may be able to explore new export markets.

He appreciated the establishment of SME Bank, but urged the authorities of the bank to reduce mark-up rates from 17 per cent to 10 per cent.