The Chaman Chamber of Commerce has sought assistance of the federal government for developing infrastructure in the region's industrial zone and incentives for industrial units along the border similar to those offered to the Special Economic Zones to boost the country's exports.

It has also urged the government to provide assistance in building roads and electricity, gas and digital connectivity for the investors willing to pour capital into the industrial zone. Other proposals include the reduction in taxes and relaxation in import duty on machinery to attract manufacturing units to Chaman.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar held a meeting with representatives of the Chaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday to discuss the challenges faced by local businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The meeting was attended by additional secretaries of the Ministry of Industries and Smeda CEO Nadia J Seth. Detailed discussions were held on the challenges and the need for targeted federal support.

Representatives of the Chaman Chamber highlighted that with a population of nearly one million and its strategic importance due to commerce, transportation and cross-border trade, Chaman had the potential to emerge as a major SME hub. It called for including the Chaman Industrial Zone in all federal industrial schemes and support programmes.

The chamber emphasised the urgent need for setting up vocational and technical training centres to produce skilled manpower. Proposals were shared for establishing a government-supported Common Facility Centre to enable industries to utilise shared machinery as well as creation of an Export Facilitation Desk.

Support for the development of agro-processing and cold chain industries was also sought to strengthen local value chains and enhance export potential.

On the occasion, Haroon Akhtar highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's vision of promoting and empowering SMEs and his directive to facilitate and lift every small enterprise across the country.

He acknowledged the vital role of the Chaman Chamber in cross-border trade and assured businessmen that the chamber would be included in all relevant development programmes and committees.

The PM aide announced that, with support from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) and the Pakistan Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (Pitac), a technical and vocational training centre would be established in Chaman. He noted that a Common Facility Centre at the Chaman border would significantly benefit the SMEs operating in the region.

Haroon Akhtar added that the government was already working on agro-processing and cold chain projects and Chaman would be included in those initiatives. Emphasising Smeda's critical role, he directed the organisation to facilitate the Chaman Chamber and ensure tangible results.