20000120

Industrial zone for

tanneries to be

set up in Sialkot

SIALKOT: Director General, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Shuja-ud-Din has said that necessary arrangements are being made for the establishment of "Industrial Zone for Tanneries" at Sialkot shortly.

In an interview with APP here on Wednesday he said that the step is being taken for the shifting of tanneries to the proposed Industrial Zone for Tanneries aimed at minimizing the pollution load to ensure pollution free atmosphere for the citizen.

Giving the salient features of the programme Shuja said that "cleaner production technology" would be introduced in tanneries for low waste and no waste. Besides, adequate arrangements would also be made for imparting training and educating the tannery owners about the technology of low waste and no waste.

To a question Shuja said that no new tannery could be established in populated localities if Wapda refuses to sanction new electricity connections for the purpose without the no objection certificate (NOC) from the concerned authorities or district management.

To another question director general EPB said the introduction of cleaner production technology in tanneries would be helpful in improving the quality of leather and in minimizing the pollution load in Sialkot.

The government, he said, has already adopted strict measures for averting the chances of pollution threats caused by the tanneries and other industries in different parts of the country. In fact the affluent of ill-planned tanneries is creating serious threats to fertility of land and marine life in many industrial towns of the country.

Replying to a question Shuja disclosed that existing Leather Products Development Centre Sialkot is being upgraded to Leather Development Institute adding that work on the project is in full swing. The institute will be accomplished at a cost of Rs 33.65 million and it will impart training to 207 male and female trainees. The step has been taken for producing trained and skilled manpower for leather industry, which will be helpful for the leather industry for improving the standard of their products, he added.

The institute will provide training facilities in the field of leather gloves technology, leather garments technology and leather shoes (upper) etc to the male and female trainees, Shuja said. Director General EPB said that functioning of institute would be helpful for the local exporters and manufacturers engaged with leather industry in improving the standard of their products and productivity through trained manpower.ÑAPP