30 Years of Sialkot chamber of Commerce & Industry. (2012-18)

 

30Th Years of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce And Industry (1982-2012) Commemorative Postage Stamp September 26, 2012:- The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of the Top Chambers of the Country representing the export oriented industry of Sialkot. The Chamber was established in 1982 and the late Mr. A. D. Bhutta was its founder President.

The city of Sialkot is known world over for rich industrial heritage in the field of Sports goods, Surgical instruments, Military Uniform Badges & Accessories, Musical Instruments which has now expanded with addition of Martial Arts Equipments & Accessories, Knives & Cutlery, Gloves, Leather Garments, Sports wears, add more sectors etc. The local business communities, despite many constraints, have accelerated the pace of industrialization in the city, which had been originally progressing at a snail pace. The reason of this very slow progress was that the fact no trade body was there to give protection to the interest of the local industrialists. The Sialkot Association of Trade and Industry was formed in 1976 and it was affiliated with Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The said Association provided progressive and appreciative services to the business community. There were 1000 firms registered with the association within a span of seven years up to 1982. Owing to the efforts of the said Association most of the Government regulatory offices were shifted to Sialkot, but because of the bureaucratic attitude of the Government functionaries, decision on most of the cases could not be taken.

In view of the problem and difficulties of the trading community, the urgency of constituting a Chamber was widely felt, which could provide a more prestigious and dignified forum to the local business community which could effectively take up the issues with Government for redressal. It was decided by the pioneers of the local community to get the existing Association to the level of Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Association adopted the necessary resolution in the meeting held on 12-12-1979 for taking up the matter with Ministry of Commerce. Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry passed similar resolution on 28-07-1981. The Sialkot Chamber was incorporated under company Act 1913 vide License No. 24 dated 15-07-1982 issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan under section 3 of Trade Organization Ordinance 1961 and was formally affiliated with FPCCI on 17-08-1982.

The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), comprises of its 7000 plus active members including proprietorships, Associations of Persons (AOPs), Partnerships, Corporations dealing in industry, commerce and trade. Most of them are connected with the production and exports. The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry has always come up to the expectations of its members and other stakeholders by contributing its services for the promotion and development of Trade, Industry and Commerce since its inception.

Being apex trade body of Sialkot, the activities of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry are manifold and multidimensional in nature. It is watching and safeguarding the interest of the business community on one hand and helping the Government in the formulation of various trade policies through workable proposals, suggestions and recommendations on the other hand. The global activities of the Sialkot Chamber have extended beyond all frontiers in terms of establishing business links among the locals and those at far ends of the world. It keeps a close eye on the global business trends and provides information to the members accordingly. Through its proactive approach the Sialkot Chamber has greatly contributed in expansion of industries, promotion of exports and generating economic activity.

Through concerted efforts of the members and facilitating role of the Sialkot Chamber, the export earning of the city stand at US $ 1.4(B) annually.

Social Compliance of the Sialkot Chamber:- The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry has not only made its contribution towards promotion of exports for Pakistan but has also contributed extensively in social sector due to which Sialkot has become a role model for the other cities of developing countries. The Social Projects taken up by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry include but not limited to:

Sialkot Dry Port Trust,

Sialkot Seerat Study Centre,

Sialkot Export Processing Zone;

Child Labor Elimination Program;

Universal Primary Education;

Khud Kafalat Rozghar Trust;

Sialkot City Package;

Sialkot International Airport;

Sialkot Tannery Zone;

Sports Industry Development Centre, Sialkot;

Sports Industry Development Trust, Sialkot;

Sialkot Business and Commerce Centre;

Sialkot Transport Company;

Quality Certification Program;

On 30th Years of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on September 26, 2012.