The procedure for availing of the mark-up subsidy, the export enterprises would be required to negotiate the loan with a bank and apply to EPB for approval of the subsidy. On approval, the applicant could directly deal with the bank and would apply to EPB for reimbursement of mark-up (up to 6 percent) paid.
The applications must be supported by relevant documents along with a certificate from the financing bank confirming terms of the loan and receipt of the mark-up.
In case of default by the enterprise in repayment of bank loan, the subsidy in mark-up would be terminated by EPB immediately.
Emphasising the need for establishing individual or combined ETP, the EPB official said pollutants generated from industrial processing needed to be disposed of in environment-friendly manner in the form of liquid, solid or gas.
It is not only an obligation towards the society and the future generation but also aims to meet the compliance standards required by foreign buyers in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) free trade era.
Discussing options for handling of liquid effluents, he said that these include cleaner production techniques (control at source) and end-of-pipe treatment (treating the discharge). The combined ETP is economical and time saving but requires clusters of industries involving cost-sharing issues. The ETP is the last and most appropriate resort and the only solution in many cases.
The EPB is already providing support to establishment of combined ETPs for tanneries in Kasur and Korangi (Karachi), cleaner production centre for tanneries in Sialkot and ISO-9000 and 14000 certification incentives.