FPCCI to support government in uplifting the economy – Mian Muhammad Adrees

Islamabad, January 28, 2015 (PPI-OT): The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in consultation with chambers and trade bodies was working to develop short, medium and long term plans for economic revival and would fully support the government in the economic uplift of the country, observed Mian Muhammad Adrees, President, FPCCI.

He was addressing a grand dinner hosted by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry to celebrate the victory of United Business Group in FPCCI elections. S.M.Munir Chief Executive TDAP and Patron-in-Chief of United Business Group (UBG), Iftikhar Ali Malik Chairman UBG, Mian Muhammad Adrees President FPCCI were the chief guests. Abdul Rauf Alam Chairman ICCI Founder Group and Group Leader UBG, Vice Presidents FPCCI, Presidents Chambers of Commerce and Industry, high dignitaries and a large number of business community from across the country was present at the occasion.

FPCCI President said the business community has to contribute more effectively in improving the tax revenue, which was essential for better economic development of the country. He said government should privatize all loss making commercial organizations as it was not the business of government to run business entities. He assured that the FPCCI would deliver up to the expectations of business community and work hard for resolving their problems.

S.M.Munir, Chief Executive TDAP and Patron-in-Chief UBG said businessmen should be given enhanced role in the economy as they have the potential to change the destiny of nation. He said Pakistan has great potential to improve exports and TDAP would encourage private sector in tapping all untapped international markets for trade promotion.

Iftikhar Ali Malik, Chairman UBG said the Planning Commission was working on a 10 point agenda to improve the economy and businessmen should give their proposals for the said agenda in order to steer the country out of difficulties. He said young business leaders should be brought forward to take leading role in strengthening the economy.

Abdul Rauf Alam, Chairman Founder Group and Group Leader UBG lauded the role of S.M. Munir Patron-in-Chief and Iftikhar Ali Malik, Chairman United Business Group for introducing democratic culture in business politics. He said government should offer better incentives to investors in order to promote investment and should adopt gradual approach to broaden tax base instead of putting more burden on existing taxpayers. He said FPCCI has to work on war footing basis to address issues of business community and deliver up to the expectations

Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his welcome address congratulated the UBG for its landslide victory in FPCCI elections and hoped that the new leadership would change FPCCI into an effective apex trade body to serve the cause of business community and contribute in promoting the economy of Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Khalid Chaudhry
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526, 2253145, 8432676
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk

Japan to strengthen port security in Karachi and energy saving in water supply in Lahore

Islamabad, January 28, 2015 (PPI-OT): The Government of Japan has agreed with the Government of Pakistan to implement two grant aid projects approximately worth 2 Billion Yen through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The bilateral agreements were signed for “Detailed Design Portion of The Project for Energy Saving in Water Supply System in Lahore” and “The Project for Security Improvement in Karachi Port and Port Qasim of Pakistan” between H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, and Mr. Saleem Sethi, Secretary, Economic Affairs Division (EAD) in the presence of H.E. Mr. Ishaq Dar, Minister of Finance as a witness.

On the same occasion, agreements on the details of implementation of these projects were signed between Mr. Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki, Chief Representative of JICA and Mr. Syed Mujtaba Hussain, Joint Secretary of EAD.

The Project for Energy Saving in Water Supply System in Lahore will contribute to energy saving of the water supply facilities and restoration of water production capacity through replacement of pumping equipment. 105 deteriorated underground water pumps will be replaced with the latest pumps.

In order to improve proper operation and maintenance of tube wells, energy audit instruments will be introduced. Both steps will have a synergetic effect on lowering the high energy cost for Water and Sanitation Agency of Lahore. The Government of Japan committed in November 2013 that it would provide 1.6 trillion Yen (approximately 16 billion USD or Rs.1.4 trillion PKR) of public and private finance to developing countries over a period of three years from 2013 to 2015 to support their response to climate change. This project forms a part of this commitment.

Under the Project for Security Improvement in Karachi Port and Port Qasim of Pakistan, three (3) units of gantry type X-ray container inspection equipment are to be introduced in the two ports. In addition to this, one (1) unit of mobile type X-ray container inspection equipment is to be introduced for the backup of the gantry type and other existing X-ray inspection equipment. Also, guidance and training would be provided for operation and maintenance as well as image analysis training for the gantry type X-ray container inspection equipment.

This project will contribute not only to improvement for public security, but also to more effective and efficient customs clearance of container cargoes in accordance with the international standards. Furthermore, the working environment of the custom officers to conduct physical inspections will also be improved.

H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata while speaking at the signing ceremony said, “In meetings held in Tokyo during the official visit of H.E. Mr. Ishaq Dar, Minister of Finance to Japan, the Government of Japan expressed its desire to cooperate with Pakistan in its efforts toward economic and fiscal structural reforms and improvement of the security situation. These two Grant Aid Projects embody our commitment.”

Mr. Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki while expressing his expectation for these projects said “through improvement of security and energy saving, these two projects will contribute to the stability and sustainable development of Pakistan.”

For more information, contact:
Mr. Muhammad Zubair
Administrative Officer (Public Relations),
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
4th Floor, Serena Business Complex, Ramna 5,
Plot No. 17, Kahayaban-e-Suharwardi, G-5/1,
P. O. Box 1772, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Tel: +92-51-9244500-07
Fax: +92-51-9200508
Email: ZubairMuhammad.PT@jica.go.jp

Union of Small and Medium Enterprises urges SMEDA to seek priority for SME and housing sector

Karachi, January 28, 2015 (PPI-OT): The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to advocate the cause of the sector vigorously with the ministries of finance, commerce and industries for the betterment of the majority sector on fast track basis and seek priority for SME sector and housing.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver in messages to the acting chief executive officer (CEO) Alamgir Chaudhry and provincial chiefs of SMEDA of all the provinces urged them to impress upon the policy makers to take the suggestions and proposals of UNISAME seriously and take measures and steps to make doing business easy and become competitive in the face of challenges.

Thaver said that the officials are aware that UNISAME has sent them suggestions and proposals every year but unfortunately the ministries of finance and commerce either cannot comprehend the proposals or have failed to realize that the SME sector is the majority sector and deserves their best attention. The sector is deprived of access to finance, land in industrial estates at concession and soft payment terms, regular supplies of raw material, uninterrupted energy, comfortable environment, tax exemptions, infrastructure and efficient logistics.

The banking, insurance and leasing facilities and particularly commercial property leasing, warehouse receipt financing, mortgage financing and bridge financing. The much talked about Exim Bank needs to be set up promptly and also the SME Export House, SME Insurance and the SME Institute expeditiously. The SME Ombudsman promised in the SME Policy has also been shelved like many other promises in the SME Policy.

He said that the union has highlighted the requirements of the sector every year and in fact regularly keeps inviting their attention to their issues but their non seriousness is perturbing. He added that we know they all are our well wishers and have soft corner for the sector but what is required is action and SME promotion and development has to be put on fast track scientifically. The SMEDA experts know better than us and we expect them to not fail in emphasizing the need and the requirements of the sector vehemently.

The PML – N government is business friendly and the SME sector expects extra ordinary facilities for modernization and growth to become competitive in the face of global challenges. Time is the essence and opportunity needs to be availed. With the fall in prices of fuel and resultant lowering of cost of production the sector with the help of SMEDA can achieve a lot. SMEDA needs to get into gear to upgrade the SME units on modern lines by providing them the information and technology facilities.

He said this time in their suggestions and budget proposals, the sector expects that SMEDA will not only simply send or forward the suggestions/proposals but will emphasize and advocate the cause of the sector vigorously and make the policy makers understand the importance of the sector and its contribution to the economy.

UNISAME insisted that SMEDA officials should meet the federal secretaries of finance, commerce and industries personally if need be and stress upon the priority for the SME and housing sectors and also submit requisitions for strengthening SMEDA to enhance its activities and its outreach for the benefit of the sector.

The union said that It is very important for SMEDA to invite the attention of the policy makers to give priority to the housing sector as well because it will enhance the scope and promote the housing sector which compromises of many industries of building materials, electrical goods, paints, tiles, locks, doors and windows and furniture and fittings.Almost 32 different industries will be promoted by giving priority to the sector and this must be done forthwith.

For more information, contact:
Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME)
75/1 3rd Commercial Street,
Phase IV, D.H.A., Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35884225-6
Fax: +92-21-35380642
Cell: +92-300-8245307, +92-321-8245307
Email: unisame@gmail.com

Commerce officials milking business community: former VP FPCCI – DGTO made millions during FPCCI elections: Daro Khan Achakzai

Karachi, January 28, 2015 (PPI-OT): Former President FPCCI Daroo Khan Achakzai on Wednesday said Directorate General of Trade Organisations (DGTO), an attached department of Ministry of Commerce continue to harass the business community for personal gains. He said that a top official of the regulator minted tens of millions during the recent FPCCI elections.

Talking to Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President Pakistan Economy Watch, he said that he possesses details of the bank accounts of DGTO Sajid Hussain in which heavy amount was deposited during the elections of Apex Chamber.

How can a government official justify a single transaction of over Rs 10 million in his bank account during the elections, Daro Khan questioned?

The business leader who has also served as president of Chaman Chamber said that government continue to violate merit to reward the blue eyed.

He said that the provincial government of the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa continue to punish corrupt while the central government prefer to reward them. Raiwind has become a factory to produce appointment notifications, he observed.

Daroo Khan asked the Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan to purge his department of the corrupt and ask officials about construction of palaces in Lahore.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that corruption has damaged the very fabric of the society. Some departments have become goldmine for the dishonest officials.

Many believe that former DGTO has not come out clean from his office therefore he is being dragged in the courts, he said.

He asked the government to take serious note of the allegations levelled by a notable business leader and save business chambers from clutches of tainted officials.

For more information, contact:
M. A. Lodhi
Secretary General
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
B-1, Federation House, Main Clifton Road,
Shahra-e-Firdousi,
Karachi-75600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35873691, 93-94
Fax: +92-21-35874332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk
URL: www.fpcci.com.pk

Warid makes it easy to get LTE handsets

Karachi, January 28, 2015 (PPI-OT): Following the successful launch of its LTE services, Warid has become Pakistan’s first operator to progress directly from 2G to LTE technology. Along with this news, the company has another exciting announcement.

Warid Telecom has taken an initiative in collaborating with Bank Alfalah Limited that will allow Warid customers (with Bank Alfalah credit cards) to purchase LTE-supported handsets, with 0% markup and on a simple installment plan. This offer comes with LTE Mobile Internet Bundle absolutely free and applies to all the latest Samsung, Sony, Nokia and Huawei LTE-supported devices. Warid subscribers can avail this offer with 8GB high speed monthly mobile internet bucket for up to 12 months, depending on their installment plan.

The latest smartphones can be bought from selected Warid Business Centers including iPhones that are exclusively available here. Customers can avail 5GB of free mobile internet per month for 3 to 6 months depending on the handset purchased.

In addition to these innovative offers, Warid has recently announced its partnership with ‘Daraz.pk’, an online shopping portal that delivers the latest smartphones. This initiative is aimed at making LTE-supported mobile devices conveniently accessible to Warid Telecom’s customers from the comfort of their home.

For more information, contact:
Shahzad Ahmad
Public Relations Officer
Warid Telecom (Pvt.) Limited
Phone: +92-321-4444855
Email: shahzad.ahmad@waridtel.com
URL: www.waridtel.com