Chairman Port Qasim urged to facilitate & support SMEs in eastern industrial zone

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has invited the attention of the chairman Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Agha Jan Akhtar to the demand notes issued to SME allotees of land in the eastern industrial zone (EIZ) for immediate payment of land rent, maintenance charges and mark up on dues for unmaintained land in the zone.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said many of our SMEs have been allotted land in EIZ PQA and have plans to set up innovative industries in the zone and are planning accordingly and waiting for PQA to develope the EIZ with infrastructure. PQA needs to expedite the development and enable the allotees to begin the construction of their units but this can only be possible if the basic infrastructure is in place.

PQA is now demanding maintenance charges whereas the land is neglected and just lying as it is since a decade without any upkeep or development and yet demanding charges and mark up on dues.

The union has invited the attention of the chairman PQA to the demand note issued to SMEs by the industrial management department warning them of penalty and other consequences on their failure to pay the dues in time.

The SMEs are deeply hurt by the harsh language and the tone and temperament of the letter sent to them by Mohammed Rehan Khan deputy manger of the estate and complained of the lack of co-operation and support from PQA and treatment meted out to entrepreneurs who are planning to set up industries in the present circumstances of economic challenges.

The union has urged the chairman to expedite the development of the EIZ and encourage , support and facilitate the SMEs for step by step payment of maintenance and other charges in proportion to the work done on the estate.

Posted in: Press Releases