In a bid to boost the State’s economy, the Punjab ChiefMinister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday announced that he would soon write tothe Government of India (GoI) besides seeking appointment from the Union HomeMinister Amit Shah to flag the issue for opening trade with the neighboringcountry of Pakistan.
Acceding to the major demand of the PHD Chamber of Commerce& Industry, CM Channi announced that the foundation stone of a conventioncentre for PITEX over an area of 10 acres would be laid within this week toenable the organization to carry out diverse range of activities to promotetrade and industry in the region in a big way.
In his address during the 15th Edition of the PunjabInternational Trade Expo (PITEX) here, CM Channi questioned if the trade can becarried by the sea route then why not the same is permitted through land routeas it would propel enormous opportunities of economic prosperity.
Likewise, CM Channi also said that a digital singlewindow system would be put in place shortly to ensure all kinds of requisitepermissions from a unified platform to the industrialists in a seamless manner.“This move would also enable them to apply for permissions from their homes toalmost removing the user interface with the officials thus increasingtransparency”, said Channi.
Listing the achievements of his government, CM Channidivulged that the State Government has withdrawn 40000 VAT related casesregistered against the traders, abolishing the institutional tax, made theRight to Business Act, 2020 applicable, doing away with the need to obtain CLUin case of extension of factories and industrial areas, reduced 50 percentfixed charges thus giving huge respite to the industrial sector, Bringing downthe number of 14 mobile squads to 4 thus ending inspector raj, up-gradation offocal points at a cost of Rs. 150 crore, One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme fordisputed cases besides a film city project are already on the anvil inChandigarh to be developed over an area of 200 acres. "We are alsoplanning to introduce curriculum in the educational institutions in line withthe demands of the industrial sector with sharpened focus on skilldevelopment", added the Chief Minister.
Citing the huge potential of Amritsar in religioustourism, CM Channi expressed satisfaction that Punjab has been ranked No. 1 interms of infrastructure development in tourism sector. He also lauded the PITEXfor its yeoman's service in offering a big platform to the businessmen of thestate especially the region and ensuring presence of five countries viz. Iran,Egypt, Afghanistan, Turkey and Thailand in the Expo. The Chief Minister alsoinspected the 450 stalls put up there and gave Best Indoor stall award toSonalika with JAL company bagging the Best Outdoor Stall Award.
On the occasion, PPCC President Navjot Singh Sidhu alsounderlined the significance of the cross border trade. Describing Amritsar asthe biggest market of Asia, he said that it would open new vistas of prosperityfor Punjab as trade and business activities would be carried out with 34countries. Underscoring the need to give fillip to MSMEs (small traders), thePPCC President said that our focus must be on enabling the youth to be jobcreators instead of job seekers.
Meanwhile, Co-Chair PHD Chamber Punjab Karan Gilhotrathanked the district administration for rendering all possible assistance fororganizing PITEX-21 successfully.
Among others present on the occasion included MP AmritsarGurjeet Singh Aujla, Medical Education and Research Minister Dr. Raj KumarVerka, Convenor Amritsar Zone, Punjab State Chapter, PHDCCI and AssistantSecretary General, PHDCCI Naveen Seth.