MARDAN, March 4 Mardan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Naseemur Rehman has said the chamber is preparing a plan about reopening of closed industries in the district.

The plan would be presented to the government, he told a meeting of the executive body of the MMCI here on Tuesday.

He regretted that Mardan being the second biggest district in the province was deprived of employment opportunities because most of the factories and industries in the district were closed.

He said the MCCI was preparing a special plan regarding the closed industries and if the government approved it, it would revive trade and business activities in the district.

He said the MCCI was in contact with the government about construction of the chamber office and hoped that the provincial government would materialise the plan soon.

The MCCI president urged businessmen and traders to shun their differences and forge unity in their ranks.

It may be mentioned that the business community of Mardan has been divided into two groups, who are at loggerheads even over petty issues.

MCCI secretary general Fazal Muhammad praised the organisation president for his efforts to solve problems of traders and industrialists. He said these efforts had helped materialise a microfinance scheme, introduction of the Yousufzai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Mardan division, approval of an economic zone near Motorway and approval of licences for trade and business communities.

The meeting reduced the membership fee from Rs5,000 to 2,200 and fixed the renewal fee at Rs500.

The meeting also unanimously condemned the kidnapping for ransom of two traders of the district and demanded their safe recovery.

Meanwhile, District Nazim Himayatullah Mayar has said an amount of Rs170 million approved by the provincial government for different schemes at Sheikh Maltoon Town has been released to the Mardan Development Authority.

He said the amount would be spent on development of parks, construction of boundary wall, repair and construction of roads and streets, sewerage, drain system and gates at various entrances to the town.