FPCCI to join CACCI Trade Delegation to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

Karachi, February 03, 2018 (PPI-OT): FPCCI will participate in Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Delegation visiting Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from 22nd to 27th April, 2018. The delegation consisting of the members of National CCIs of member countries of CACCI will be led by the President of CACCI Mr. Jemal Inaishvili.

CACCI is a Chamber of 27 countries of Asia and Western Pacific engaged in enhancing economic cooperation, increasing regional business interaction, economic growth, intensifying interaction amongst the business community, holding conferences, seminars and training programs in member countries.

The visit to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are intended to give the members of delegation the opportunity to gather first-hand information on the business situation in the host countries; further build up the image of CACCI by making courtesy calls on heads of state, economic ministers, and other high-ranking government officials to seek support for CACCI; and meet the top businessmen in the host countries, particularly those from industries or sectors that the host countries wish to promote.

The program of the visit of delegation is being made with the support of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Laos National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCI) respectively which are host chambers in respective countries.

For more information, contact:
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

President FPCCI expresses concerns over recent hike in Oil and Gas prices

Karachi, February 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): Ghazanfar Bilour, President FPCCI has shown his deep concern over recent hike in the prices of petroleum products and LPG. He stated that this will increase the cost of production and Pakistani products will suffer in competitiveness. Consequently, there will a further negative impact on our already declining exports.

He further said a huge population is living below the poverty line in the country. The current increase in prices will increase burden on the poor masses in particular and overall on general public, as the prices of commodities will rise. He urged the government that these increases may be withdrawn.

For more information, contact:
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

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry takes giant leap to facilitate its members by establishing Excise and Taxation Facilitation Centre

Lahore, February 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken another giant leap to facilitate its members by establishing Excise and Taxation Facilitation Centre at its premises. Now the LCCI members would get all Excise and Taxation facilities within the premises of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid and Secretary Excise and Taxation Balal Ahmed jointly inaugurated the Facilitation Centre while Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeeshan Khalil and Executive Committee Members were present on the occasion.

Secretary E and T Balal Ahmed said that Excise and Taxation related various facilities would be available at the facilitation centre for the businessmen. He said that it is a great facility that must be availed by the business community. He said that such initiatives are a must to promote tax culture and for trust building between public and private sectors.

Malik Tahir Javaid said that Excise and Taxation Facilitation Centre is a great facility for the business community of Lahore. He said that this centre would provide the facilities of collection of provincial taxes/fees, motor vehicle registration, property tax and professional tax etc. He said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has become only chamber of the country where important institutions like SMEDA, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Traffic Police, NADRA and Excise and Taxation department have established facilitation centres for the business community. The LCCI President said that Public Private Partnership and a well-built and meaningful liaison between public and private sectors is of vital importance.

The LCCI President said that said that strong public-private partnership can help surmounting the unprecedented economic challenges being faced by the country. The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry would continue its untiring efforts in this regard. He said that He said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry aims to promote trade and investment in the country through enacting upon the policies of the government and securing a business friendly environment in the country.

For more information, contact:
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-222-499
Fax: +92-42-36368854
Website: www.lcci.org.pk

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry slams further hike in POL prices

Islamabad, February 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has slammed the recent hike in the prices of petroleum products and called upon the government to withdraw its decision as it increasing the prices of POL products twice in a short span of time would unleash a new wave of inflation in the country. It would put more burden on the common man and badly affect the growth of trade and industrial activities.

Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that government was already charging 31 percent GST on high speed diesel and Rs.10 on per litre of petrol as petroleum development surcharge due to which the consumers were paying many times high prices on POL products. He said though oil prices in the international market have gone up, but stressed that the government should reduce high taxes and charges on POL products instead of increasing their prices. It was a wise approach save the business community and the general public from further problems.

He said the recent hike in POL prices would further enhance the cost of doing business as manufacturing, movement of raw materials and trading goods will become costly. He said the industrial sector will be the immediate victim of the hike in POL prices as it was one of the major raw materials for industries. He said the move would also reduce the competitiveness of Pakistani goods in the international market and foil the government`s efforts for revival of exports.

Sheikh Amir Waheed said that the economy of Pakistan was already facing many challenges due to rising trade and current account deficits, falling exports and heavy cost of debt servicing. In this scenario, increasing prices of POL products twice after a short gap would create more difficulties for the economy.

Muhammad Naveed Senior Vice President and Nisar Mirza Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed that government should immediately withdraw the recent hike in POL prices and avoid taking such measures, especially at a time when the trade and industry was struggling for survival. They said making repeated increases in POL prices would put unnecessary burden on the already hard pressed general public and hit the growth of trade and industrial activities. They emphasized that instead of hiking POL prices, government should focus on reducing taxes and duties on POL products and control non-developmental expenditures.

For more information, contact:
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

KCCI welcomes DMC South’s announcement to withdraw hike in Trade License Fee

Karachi, January 31, 2018 (PPI-OT): President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Muffasar Atta Malik, while referring to the assurance given by Chairman DMC South Malik Mohammad Fayyaz to withdraw the hike in Trade License Fee during his recent visit to KCCI, hoped that the relevant notification about withdrawal of hike in Trade License Fee raised on January 3, 2018 will be issued soon by DMC South.

In a statement issued, Muffasar Malik said that the Karachi Chamber was the first one to raise this pressing issue during the visit of DMC South to KCCI and it was really encouraging to see that Malik Fayyaz finally responded to the grievances being faced by small traders and shopkeepers by assuring to withdraw the hike in trade license fee at the earliest.

He informed that the said meeting was well attended by representatives of all markets situated in District South who highly appreciated Chairman DMC South for thoroughly discussing numerous matters pertaining to cleanliness, carpeting of roads and lanes in numerous commercial areas, installation of Street Lights and other civic issues.

Muffasar Malik further hoped that the proposal to publicize details of all local taxes including Board and Sun-Shade Fees on DMC South’s website will also be taken into consideration which would help in dealing with the harassment being faced by traders/ shopkeepers from concerned officers who are responsible for taking these taxes.

He pointed out that small traders and shopkeepers of South Zone have been facing immense hardships due to numerous civic issues which require special attention. “Besides effectively dealing with these civic issues, DMC South must initiate action against rising number of encroachments which create a lot of problems for shopkeepers and cause severe traffic jams in all the markets situated in South Zone.

Muffasar Malik said that Karachi Chamber, being the actual representative of business and industrial community, has been always raising string voice to resolve numerous issues, particularly those being suffered by small traders and shopkeepers. Under BMG’s clear policy of ‘Public Service’, any businessman, industrialist, small trader or shopkeeper, who seeks KCCI’s assistance, is fully assisted by the Office Bearers regardless of taking the size of his business into consideration, he added.

For more information, contact:
Director Press/Electronic Media and Public Relations
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road, Off Shahrah-e-Liaquat,
Karachi-74000
Phone: +92-21-99218001-09
Fax: +92-21-99218040
Email: info@kcci.com.pk, secretary@kcci.com.pk
Website: www.kcci.com.pk

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal opens NADRA Facilitation Desk at LCCI

Lahore, January 27, 2018 (PPI-OT):Federal Minister for Interior, Planning, Development and Reforms Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Saturday inaugurated first-ever NADRA Facilitation Desk for business community at LCCI. The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid, Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeeshan Khalil, former office-bearers and Executive Committee Members were present on the occasion.

The NADRA Kiosk at LCCI is another great facility and it would meet needs of large number of businessmen in Lahore. Federal Minister said that establishment of NADRA Kiosk Center at LCCI is part of the government efforts to facilitate the business community.

Earlier, addressing the LCCI members, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said that economic health of the country was frightening before 2013. He said Pakistan was considered the most dangerous country of the world due to terrorism and deteriorating law and order situation, and load shedding was 20 hours long while the industrial activity was badly hampered due to power shortage before 2013. He said that people were shifting from Karachi due to extortion and target killing. National anthem and flag hoisting was a crime in Balochistan before 2013. Economy was stagnant at 3% while IMF was predicting that Pakistan would be bankrupt in 2014.

He said that but situation quickly changed when PML-N government came into power and turned Pakistan into fast emerging economy. He said that PML-N government targeted four areas including energy, extremism, economy and education and achieved considerable success. He said World Economic Forum has declared Pakistan better than India as an emerging economy. He said that GDP growth reached to 5.3% in previous year while it expected that it would be around 6% at the end of ongoing year.

He said that PML-N government has added 11,000 MW of electricity in the national grid. He said that investment in infrastructure development reached to Rs.413 billion. He said that Lahore-Multan road section will be completed by the end of 2018, Multan Sukkur section will be completed. He said that socio-economic development has given confidence to the people of Balochistan. He said that Karachi has become the city of lights again and about 100 closed industrial units have been reopened that were closed due to bad law and order situation.

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would change the destiny of Pakistan, as the two countries were taking ahead the project to its next stages successfully. The Interior Minister added that today the world was focusing eyes on Pakistan besides terming it as an ideal country for foreign investment.

About China Pakistan Economic Corridor, Ahsan Iqbal said that this project is a game changer and it is playing a significant role in economic development of Pakistan. He said that massive investments under CPEC is further strengthening Pak-China friendship. He said CPEC is a national agenda and has been put into implementation in record time due to total commitment of both Pakistani and Chinese leadership. He expressed satisfaction over progress of CPEC projects.

The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said that development and peace are the two of the major concerns of businesses. Development requires the removal of major sources of un-freedom: poverty as well as tyranny, poor economic opportunities as well as systematic social deprivation, neglect of public facilities as well as intolerance or over-activity of repressive states. He said that People in better economic condition are less likely to initiate violent conflict both because they are more content and because they have more to lose from the physical danger and economic disruption that war brings. The propensity to indulge in violent conflict is higher for low income or less educated people.

He said that in case of Pakistan, governance and institutional quality have deteriorated over the years. In corruption perception index, although Pakistan’s ranking improved slightly but it still ranked on high side at 116th among 180 countries. The low performing area identified was overall country’s risk which includes credit risk, economic risk and political risk. , Pakistan had not been able to improve the business climate with the result that it’s ranking slipped to as low as 144th out of 190 economies in 2017.

The LCCI President said according to the recently released World Bank Ease of Doing Business 2018 report, Pakistan has slipped three places reaching an all-time low of 147. He said that Pakistan is confronting myriad issues such as terrorism, sectarian violence, corruption, external influence and internal imbroglio that impede progress, development and prosperity of Pakistan. He said After Army operations Zarb-e-Azb and Rudd-ul-Fasaad, 90% terrorism has been rooted out. However, the tail of terrorism is still pervasive across borders especially Pak-Afghan border that slowly sows the seed of terrorism.

Malik Tahir Javaid said during the last 16 years, the direct and indirect cost incurred by Pakistan due to incidents of terrorism amounted to US$ 123.13 billion. He said that National Security has become a broad subject with social, political and economic dimensions gaining importance. The nature of threats is changing with technological revolution. He said that CPEC has changed Geo-Political equilibrium in the region due to which new Geo-Political pressures are developing on Pakistan.

So far as the preparedness for CPEC is concerned, the governments of Pakistan and China have to engage the private sectors of both the countries to create win-win situation for all. We must develop a comprehensive approach with the ownership of all stakeholders to succeed in implementation. The proactive approach adopted by Chinese businessmen gives this impression that they are taking CPEC much more seriously than us. Government needs to give right type of incentives to transform this scenario where both Chinese and Pakistani businessmen have level playing field and fair opportunities to grow.

Khawar Rashid and Zeeshan Khalil assured the Federal Minister of the best cooperation from the business community to make Pakistan a country where rule of law reigns supreme; where every Pakistani feels secure to lead a life in conformity with his religious beliefs, culture, heritage and customs; where a Pakistani from any group, sect or province respects the culture, tradition and faith of the other, where every foreign visitor feels welcome and secure.

For more information, contact:
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-222-499
Fax: +92-42-36368854
Website: www.lcci.org.pk

DG Rangers urges business community to immediately complain about extortion threats

Karachi, January 25, 2018 (PPI-OT):Director General Pakistan Rangers Sindh Maj. Gen. Muhammad Saeed has urged the business and industrial community to immediately inform Rangers about any extortion threat as soon as they receive it so that the culprits could be taken to task along with provision of security to the complainant at their business premises and homes but that complaint must be genuine. “If you don’t complain, we will not be able to help you”, he added.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, DG Rangers said, “With a small force of just 11,000 troops, we simply cannot make deployments outside every single shop but we will make sure that anyone receiving extortion threat gets immediate security.”

Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, Vice Chairman BMG and Former President KCCI Haroon Farooki, President KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, Senior Vice President KCCI Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, Vice President KCCI Rehan Hanif, Former Presidents AQ Khalil and Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Chairman of Law and Order Sub-Committee Mansoor Ahmed Kadwani, Chairman of Special Committee for Small Traders Majeed Memon and others were present at the meeting.

Referring to recent hand grenade attack at Kharadar Cloth Market, DG Rangers said that nobody lodged any complaint about receiving threat calls from a particular gang which resulted in the said hand grenade attack. The victims themselves were responsible for the loss of life and injuries at Kharadar Cloth Market as nobody ever complained about the threats given on phone which was disclosed later after the attack, he added.

DG Ranger Muhammad Saeed pointed out that 104 Rangers troops have been martyred and hundreds were injured since September 2013 to protect the lives and properties of Karachiites. “Nobody acknowledges these sacrifices but a single failure, results in huge criticism towards Rangers officers who are working out of their skins and striving really hard to maintain peace and stability all over Karachi”, he added.

He was of the opinion that everyone has to play their due role in dealing with issues and problems in our society but unfortunately this was not happening as nobody is playing role for the ‘collective good’ which is constantly being ignored. “This is one of the major social weakness and we have to deal with it by contributing towards collective good whereas the differences of opinion amongst everyone must also be sorted out and bipartisan practices need to be encouraged, besides dealing with low tolerance”, he stressed, adding that Collective Good, Bipartisan practices and tolerance were more important than the economic stability as only those countries and cities have been growing exceptionally well who have all these three elements in their society.

Countering President KCCI’s remarks pertaining to Rangers’ helplessness in dealing with extortion mafia, DG Ranger categorically stated that Rangers never was, never is and never will be helpless in dealing with the extortion mafia and it has been taking strictest action and providing full security upon receiving complaints. He said that rangers never arrests any innocent member of business community and every single arrest being made is given go ahead personally by himself.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Businessmen Group and Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli appreciated DG Rangers for promptly responding to KCCI’s requests to visit the Chamber in order to discuss some of the pressing issues being suffered by the business and industrial community. He underscored that in order to deal with rising extortion threats, everyone including Rangers and business community are supposed to be on the same side and work collectively with total honestly to resolve this particular issue.

Referring to Karachi Operation which started in 2013, Siraj Teli said that it took five years of dedicated efforts to bring this city at the current level where decades old issues have been successfully taken care of which was only due to the role played by police, rangers, political parties and the business community. We all have sacrificed and contributed our share to it. As most of the major issues have been successfully resolved, it is time to deal with left over petty issue of extortion. “The elephant is out, and only the tail is left. We have to take out this tail as well and make sure the elephant never comes back again”, he said.

He was of the opinion that everyone has made a lot of sacrifices for this city during all these years and if the law and order situation had not been sabotaged more than 20 years ago, this city would have been far ahead from where it is today because of its sharp, resilient and hardworking inhabitants belonging to all four provinces of the country, speaking different languages and representing multiple cultures and ethnicity.

Reiterating KCCI’s clear policy, Siraj Teli said that KCCI will never support facilitators of Extortion Mafia which is not because of Rangers’ pressure but it was purely the Chamber’s policy i.e. to always raise voice for the truth only and never support any wrong. “Anything wrong is wrong. We have raised voice for the truth during the last 20 years and will continue to do so in future as well”, he added while referring to some individuals and Groups who were attempting to create misunderstandings.

To deal with the extortion mafia, Siraj Teli underscored the need to devise some kind of a system or mechanism which encourages those members of the business community to come forward and start reporting extortion threats as it has been observed that people usually refrain from reporting extortion threats to KCCI or any Law Enforcing Agencies due to fears. “If you will not report incidents to us, how is it possible for Karachi Chamber or Rangers to help you out”, he asked and advised Rangers to utilize its intelligence or seek assistance from IB, ISI and other Law Enforcing Agencies to deal with extortionists.

Referring to arrests of three small traders by Rangers on charge of facilitating extortionists, he said that if rangers holds a list of other such facilitators and they have solid evidences against them, the Karachi Chamber has absolutely no problems and the Rangers was free to take action against such elements. “However, whenever anyone is arrested, Rangers should at least inform their family members about their whereabouts, it is their right to ask about the location. In this regard, a system has to be devised by Rangers to minimize the hardships of perturbed family members”, he added.

He advised Rangers to share evidences of such suspects with Karachi Chamber and if these evidences are solid, KCCI will certainly support Rangers as it has been observed on numerous occasions that many individuals have been detained on the basis of doubts and then released within a couple of days when found not guilty which we understand.

He was of the opinion that Rangers must also scrutinize all markets associations to find out who is who, what is their past which will help them understand what type of people they are and whether they should be taken seriously or not because we don’t want to complaint about anybody but there are people who misguide and misuse the situation and keep changing their stance.

He advised small traders of Old city Areas that if they are afraid of disclosing details to Rangers, they should make a note and hand it over to any office bearer of Karachi Chamber which could be passed on to Rangers so that action could accordingly be taken. “We simply don’t want people to deal with their personal enmities by misusing such a facility”, he said, adding that details of the complainant will not be disclosed at any cost.

Siraj Teli said that if small traders were not satisfied with any system devised either by KCCI or by Rangers, they should devise it themselves and let us know. If we find it correct, we will get it implemented for lodging their complaints. “You have to share details and act courageously otherwise we will not be able to ensure security to you people.”

Earlier, President KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, in his welcome address expressed grave concern over rising activities of extortion mafia and helplessness of police and rangers to control the situation. He urged DG Rangers to ensure full-fledged security at commercial markets of the city, particularly the Old City Areas where extortionists were more active.

For more information, contact:
Director Press/Electronic Media and Public Relations
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road, Off Shahrah-e-Liaquat,
Karachi-74000
Phone: +92-21-99218001-09
Fax: +92-21-99218040
Email: info@kcci.com.pk, secretary@kcci.com.pk
Website: www.kcci.com.pk