PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and different business groups have decided to form a joint committee to expedite work and ensure timely completion of the under-construction Peshawar expo centre, a project of the federal ministry of commerce and industry.

The committee will comprise representatives/officials of the industries department of the provincial government, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Lahore Expo Centre and other relevant departments.

According to a statement issued here on Sunday, the decision was taken during a meeting of the board of directors (BoD) of Pakistan Expo Centre Private Limited, which was held under the chairmanship of BoD member Syed Yawar Ali.

SCCI acting president Shahid Hussain, KP secretary industries Mian Khalidullah Jan, Punjab’s additional secretary industries Ms Rafia, secretary industries government of Balochistan Ghulam Baloch, presidents of all chambers of commerce and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

After proposal by the SCCI acting president, the meeting approved formation of the body, which would be supervised by SCCI.

The Peshawar expo centre is being established in the city on the pattern of Lahore Expo Centre, with the aim to facilitate the business community as well as to provide infrastructure for promotion of economic activities through trade exhibitions, consumer fairs and conferences.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Hussain said that the Peshawar expo centre would not only promote products through exhibitions, but it would boost trade and economic activities and enhance trade with the neighbouring countries. He urged the federal and provincial governments to remove hurdles to this important project.

The SCCI acting chief said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; particularly its Peshawar city, was the gateway to enhancing mutual trade relations with Afghanistan and rest of Central Asian countries. He demanded of the government to extend maximum relief to the terrorism- and BRT-affected traders. The federal government had initiated work on the Peshawar expo centre two years ago, but it was yet to be completed.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2019