Our Staff Reporter SIALKOT - Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry on Wednesday said that the business community of Sialkot which is the nucleus of exports, was playing instrumental role not only in face-lifting of this export city but also accomplishing its social responsibilities with missionary zeal . Talking to reporters, the SCCI President disclosed that textile exports constitute approximately 60 percent of the countrys earning and the industry was one of the countrys major employers. Sialkot is a city with growing sportswear industry exporting to top brands and foreign buyers globally, he said. He said that this rapidly growing industry was facing acute shortage of workforce which was a barrier to the growth of this important export sector. He disclosed that establishment of Sportswear Training Institute Sialkot (TIS) had been approved by the federal government and this institute would play pivotal role in the promotion of sportswear and other textile industry as well as cater to the opportunities of employment. Mustafa Ch further told that the development work on Sialkot Business and Commerce Centre (SBCC) was in full swing. This project has been endeavoured in Public-Private Partnership between the Sialkot Chamber and Federal government through the SMEDA in which SCCI has provided Rs170 million in the shape of piece of land while the federal government has approved Rs171.67 million for the mega project, he disclosed. The SCCI President further disclosed that development work of Sports Industries Development Centre (SIDC) had been completed. This project is joint initiative of the Ministry of Industries and Production and SMEDA (Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority and Sialkot Chamber and the project would be accomplished at a cost of Rs435.64 million and hopefully it will be operational early next year (2012), he added. Mustafa Ch revealed that initial development work on Sialkot Tanneries Zone (STZ) had been initiated and the STZ would be developed on 392 acres of land. The step was being taken to cope with environmental issues, caused by the tanneries scattered around the city involved in processing of finished leather and Wet Blue hides resulting in degradation of the environment through air, noise and water pollution, he said. He said Sialkot Tanneries Zone intended to accommodate shifting of about 276 existing tanneries currently operating in 10 clusters all around Sialkot. The SCCI has launched Khud Kifalat Rozgar Trust with the help of philanthropic business community of the area aims at promoting well-being of the poor and needy segment of the society. The rationale behind the project is to extend financial assistance to the people with limited resources enabling them to generate business opportunities for themselves. The SCCI president said that the financial assistance was provided in shape of Qarz-e-Hasna (interest free loans) which would be paid back to trust in instalment. The total fund for the trust stands at Rs6.5 million of which interest free loans amounting to Rs2.344 million has been given to 91 people and trust has recently launched CNG rickshaw scheme, he revealed. Mustafa Ch said that financial assistance provided in this way would help in alleviation of poverty and reducing unemployment from the society.