SIALKOT, April 4: David Oswald, second secretary commercial, British High Commission in Islamabad, has assured the Sialkot businessmen of early provision of all technical and commercial assistance for the development of export-oriented cottage industry of Sialkot.

He said this while addressing a meeting of local businessmen at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here, after visiting various industrial units in Sambrial, Daska and Sialkot on Friday. He was accompanied by Imran Chaudhry, head of British trade international office and trade development adviser.

Mr David said that various British companies had shown interest in setting up joint ventures with Pakistani companies and adequate efforts were being made for further strengthening the mutual trade ties between the two countries.

Mr David while talking to this correspondent at the SCCI said there were bright opportunities for setting up joint ventures between British and Pakistani companies, adding it is high time to enhance the mutual trade activities.

He said that exporters of Sialkot could capture the British international trade markets by exporting best quality goods.

Incentive package: Pakistan Sports Goods Association chairman Arif Mehmood Shaikh has urged the government to announce an incentive package, including subsidy on electricity and gas, for Sialkot business community to enable them to compete in the international markets.

Talking to newsmen here on Thursday, he said due to rising tariffs of power and gas, the production cost of the exportable items had increased to a great extent, making it hard for exporters to compete in the world markets. He said India, China and Taiwan had already captured the international sports markets due to cheaper prices of their goods.

Arif also demanded of the government to introduce immediately “one window operation” for revenue collection form the business community. The revival of duty drawback and rebate ratio as it was on June 30, 2001 would also give relief to the perturbed business community.