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Karachi, March 11, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) have expressed their willingness to work together for enhancing regional trade by holding joint exhibitions in neighboring countries and collectively enhancing interaction with regional counterparts.
The willingness was shown at a meeting during the visit of Dr. Shimail Daud Arain, President RCCI who visited KCCI to seek KCCI’s inputs on how to enhance regional trade. Chairman of Businessmen Group and Former President KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli; Vice Chairman BMG, Haroon Farooki, President KCCI, Abdullah Zaki, Senior Vice President KCCI, Muffasar A. Malik, Vice President KCCI, Muhammad Idrees, Former Presidents KCCI, Haroon Agar and A. Q. Khalil, Chairman of International Affairs Sub-Committee KCCI, Junaid Esmail Makda and other Managing Committee members attended the meeting.
Dr. Shimail Arain, who was accompanied by Rauf Chaudhry Former President RCCI at the meeting, appreciated KCCI’s participation in 6th All Pakistan Chambers’ Conference organized by Rawalpindi Chamber in December last year and KCCI’s initiative to stage 1st All Pakistan Chambers’ Pre-Budget Conference in February 2014. He said that such events pave way for strengthening good relations between regional chambers and help in bringing them closer, which would surely go in favor of the economy.
President RCCI said that many organizations have approached RCCI to seek budget proposals but they have been informed that RCCI’s budget proposals have been forwarded to KCCI so that these proposals could be incorporated in joint budget proposals being compiled by KCCI. All other regional chambers including Faisalabad Chamber and Islamabad Chamber have also agreed to submit their budget proposals to KCCI, which will then be sent in shape of a single comprehensive document to the concerned authority.
A follow up discussion on Pre-Budget proposals is likely to be organized by Faisalabad Chamber soon whereas a Post-Budget Conference will be hosted by the Islamabad Chamber after seven days of the formal announcement of Federal Budget 2014-15. The purpose behind working jointly with all chambers is to raise a strong voice under one platform for the entire business community of Pakistan in order to convince the policymakers to pay attention to the problems being faced by the business community.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of Businessmen Group and Former President KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli, while welcoming President RCCI to Karachi Chamber, said that it is really very heartening to note that interaction between regional chambers has improved significantly nowadays which is a good omen as it will ensure progress and prosperity for the country.
Referring to regional trade in European, American and Gulf States, Siraj Teli said that regional trade is of utmost importance but unfortunately regional trade amongst SAARC countries remains thin. Regional trade is improving everywhere around the world but unfortunately it remains limited to 6 percent only amongst SAARC countries.
“On the other hand, regional trade amongst EU and ASEAN countries has risen to 70 percent and 40 percent respectively. These countries have been progressing well whereas, our region is far behind”, he added.
Commenting on Indo-Pak Trade ties, Siraj Teli said that business communities of both countries are keen to enhance trade ties but the government policies, bureaucracies and armies on both sides of the border are not interested in improving relations and paving way for enhanced trade between the two countries.
Bureaucracies are playing a negative role. Although bureaucracy in Pakistan seems flexible on various occasions but the Indian bureaucracy is usually prejudice, Siraj Teli added, reiterating that Indo-Pak business communities want to do business with each other but the bureaucracies are creating hindrances.
Speaking on the occasion, President KCCI Abdullah Zaki said that enhanced trade and improved relation with India can certainly ensure Pakistan’s access to a huge Indian market where Pakistani products and services are in great demand.
Abdullah Zaki, while appreciating the support extended by Rawalpindi Chamber towards Karachi Chamber’s decision to formulate joint budget proposals, hoped that all chambers support KCCI in its task to compile this comprehensive document which will contain recommendations of every participating chamber.
He also requested President RCCI to highlight Karachi city’s lawlessness at various platforms as Karachi city is the financial and economic hub of Pakistan and occurrence of any unpleasant incident in the city terribly affects country’s overall economic performance.
For more information, contact:
Aamir Hassan
Director Press/ Electronic Media and Public Relations
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road, Off Shahrah-e-Liaquat,
Karachi-74000
Email: media.dir@kcci.com.pk
URL: www.kcci.com.pk
Office: +92 99218001-09
Fax: +92 21 99218010