News: Govt to modernize Sanitaryware industry to net more foreign markets with Rs.314.92 million projects
Name of the Newspaper: Associated Press of Pakistan
Date of publication: Saturday, 03 November, 2007
Website: http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=
view&id=20123&Itemi

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP): The government will set up Sanitaryware Development Center in Gujranwala at a cost Rs.314.92 million to modernize Sanitaryware industry and enable it to compete in world markets for its quality products.

According to details different impediments facing booming industry would be reviewed with an aim to adopts innovative approach with latest and modern techniques.

The project envisages setting up a Common Facility Center (CFC) for up gradation of Sanitaryware industry, which will provide necessary training, engineering and production support services etc to the industry. It will also help Sanitaryware industry in minimizing energy losses, improve quality & productivity etc.

Sanitaryware cluster in Gujranwala comprises mainly seventy (70) SMEs, which is facing many problems such as inefficient kilns (current energy losses are between 30 50%), sub standard raw material, un skilled labour and non availability of testing and training facilities etc.

The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 314.92 million including foreign exchange component of Rs 96.52 million (equivalent to US $ 1.55 million). Rs 314.92 million to be provided by the Government of Pakistan in the shape of Grant through the Asian Development Bank funded Small & Medium Enterprise Sector Development Programme.

A project monitoring unit (PMU) comprising nine (09) persons will be set up in TUSDEC in addition to Project Director and his staff of forty persons under the subject project.

The estimated cost of PMU is Rs.30 million, which is included in the total cost of the project. The objective of PMU is to look after the four CFCs, including proposed Sanitaryware Development Center. The project will be completed in twenty one (21) months.

The sources said the other ongoing potential projects in the industry are included five training centers i.e. Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Sialkot which were approved in 2006 at a cost Rs 321.124 million.

Another projects includes modernization and technology upgradation of PITAC, Lahore, Supporting Participatory Policy Development Services and Credit and Building Institutions and Markets for Business Development Services and Credit for SMEs, Pakistan Enterprises Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF), Upgradation, Strengthening of Geosciences Advance Research Laboratories.