Amritsar,Mohali to have trade centres: Sukhbir

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal announced on Sunday that Amritsar and Mohali would have permanent trade centres by the end of 2011 to hold international trade fairs in the state on a regular basis. He was speaking at the valedictory function at the closing ceremony of the five-day Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) 2010. He said such fairs provided platforms to traders and business houses to showcase their products,leading to more business deals. “We will invest in the permanent trade centres at these two places and financial allocations will be made,” said Sukhbir,adding that promotion of industry was one of their main thrust areas of the government. He said they would like the PHD Chamber of Commerce to contribute to the setting up of the trade centres. PITEX recorded a trade of Rs 200 crore in the last five years,it is learnt. “If the trade fairs are permanent,the commerce will take new turns in the state,” said the deputy CM,adding that efforts were on to make the state power surplus that would provide further impetus to the industry.