Punjab government gives interest-free loans to skilled persons

Lahore: President PML-N Pervaiz Malik MNA has said that shops of four marla each will be constructed at 32 kanal land at a cost of Rs. 17 crore at Kot Abdul Malik for the promotion of handicrafts in Punjab. He said that Pakistani handicrafts are the identity of the country.

He said this while addressing a function of distributing interest-free loans. Pervaiz Malik told that Chief Minister Punjab has allocated 3.50 billion rupees for various handicrafts projects in the province which will be started in July. He said that all projects of handicrafts are playing an important role for exports and government is paying special attention to it.

He told that there is great demand of handmade products overall the world and interest-free loans of 1.30 crore rupees have been given to skilled persons so far. Cheques for Rs. 32 lakh were distributed among 16 skilled persons.

MD Punjab Small Industry Bilal Ahmed Butt told that the loan of Rs. two lakh per person were given to skilled persons on soft terms and the recovery rate is 95 percent. He further told that interest-free loans of 40 lakh rupees will be given during next two months.

President Punjab Handicrafts Association Sheraz-ud-Din Khan appreciated the steps taken by Chief Minister Punjab for the elimination of unemployment.

MPA Majid Zahoor, Vice President Handicrafts Association Shakir Hussain, Nasira Attiq of Chamber of Commerce, Director PSIC Ghulam Nabi, Regional Director Ali Raza and other officers of PSIC also addressed the function.