14th Punjab International trade expo opens in city

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 12

Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Sunder Sham Arora on Thursday said during the tenure of Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government, an investment of over Rs50, 403 crore was made and employment opportunities for nearly 1.7 lakh people were created.

Arora was addressing domestic and international industrialists and businessmen after formally inaugurating the five-day 14th Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) 2019. The event is being organised here by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Punjab government.

Arora appreciated the event said that such events should be expanded further. He said the state government had successfully organised the Invest Punjab Meet recently with a view to promote capital investment and create a better business environment.

Auction in industrial centers such Channala (Kurali), Naya Nangal, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Patiala and Bathinda witnessed a good response. Investors had also shown interest in other cities such as Amritsar, Tanda and Govindwal Sahib. The auction will meet the long-pending demand of industrialists to allot residential plots in industrial areas. The scheme will be further expanded in the future.

The minister also said that to promote startup culture in Punjab, it had been decided to set up a dedicated MSME marketing cell and Rs100 crore startup fund. Through the MSME cell, competent small and medium industrial units of Punjab would strengthen their business relations with neighboring states. The government would be to set up in collaboration with the IKG Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar.

Earlier, while welcoming the Industries and Commerce Minister here, the president of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr DK Aggarwal, said the PHD chamber made significant contribution to the economic development of the country by acting as a bridge between industries and the government.

Deputy Commissioner Shivdular Singh Dhillon said the PITEX had become the identity of the state. The district administration was extending all possible support for this event, he said.

Karan Gilhotra, Chairman of the Punjab State Chapter, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, thanked the participants and informed that the initiative, which was started in 2005, was being expanded every year. The number of people coming taking part was also increasing continuously.

The event is offering wide range of items from household, cars, fancy items among others.