LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Industries and Trade, Mian Aslam Iqbal, on Thursday inaugurated the state-of-the-art ‘Metal Craft Artisans Village’ near Kot Abdulmalik at Lahore’s Sheikhupura Road.
The ‘Metal Craft Artisans Village’ is constructed on the land of four-acre costing up to Rs180 million where 34 workshops were established for artisans. A wide area and big hall have also been built to be used for the exhibition of products.
The workshops were allotted to artisans through transparent balloting in the presence of the minister.
While addressing the inaugural ceremony, Iqbal said that PSIC has taken a great initiative by constructing Metal Craft Artisans Village which would help to boost the cottage industry.
He highlighted that the project will also help to promote regional culture metal art and handicrafts. He added that it would provide an excellent opportunity to enhance employment to those who work hard to earn the bread and butter for their children.
The government has provided this facility to highlight the art of the artisans, he added.
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The minister said, “The purpose of the village is not to collect revenue for the government but to alive the dying art, now it depends on artisans how they get to benefit from this project.”
“Punjab government has evolved an action plan for the revival of the cottage industry in the next three years as every district of Punjab is famous for some kind of art.”
He said that loans scheme for the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been approved and it will be launched shortly.
While commenting over check and balance over its progress, Iqbal said that the allotment of the workshop will be cancelled if any workshop stops functioning.
Later, the provincial minister visited workshops and participated in the process of balloting. He was briefed by the Managing Director (MD) of Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) regarding the projects. The briefing session was also attended by secretary industries, PSIC officials and artisans.
