Positions on Most Favoured Nation status, Aamer Atta Explained to Visiting Parliamentarians

Karachi: A high-ranking delegation of the National Security Workshop of the National Defence University (NDU) comprising parliamentarians, bureaucrats and representatives of the private sector visited the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Head Office on 21 December 2011. The visit of the delegation was in continuation of a valued tradition of interaction between FPCCI and Pakistan’s armed forces. Earlier, a similar delegation had visited FPCCI in March 2011.

Chaudhary Aamer Atta Bajwa, Vice President-FPCCI welcomed all the delegates and thanked them for visiting Federation House. He briefed the attendees on the role and functions of FPCCI, and also gave an overview of Pakistan’s recent economic performance. In particular, he paid tribute to Pakistan’s exporters, who were instrumental in achieving the previous fiscal year’s exports of almost US$25 billion.

A distinguished panel comprising of members of the business community was on hand to hold an interactive Q and A session with the attendees. The panellists were Mr. Dawood Usman Jakhura (VP-FPCCI), Engineer Usman Sheikh (VP-FPCCI), Mr. Iftikhar Ali Malik (VP-SAARC CCI), Ms. Arjumand Qazi, Mr. Waseem Vohra, Mr. Majyd Aziz, Mr. Mansha Churra, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Mr. Khurram Sayeed and Mr. Naqi Bari.

After a detailed presentation on the profile of FPCCI and its activities both outside and inside the country by Syed Masood Alam Rizvi, the Secretary General-FPCCI, the floor was opened for questions. Various questions of the delegates, primarily relating to the repercussions of according India “Most Favoured Nation” status and the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement were raised and addressed by the FPCCI’s Board of panellists. The panellists listed FPCCI’s efforts to lobby for better market access to the European Union and other regions. Serious concerns were expressed at the fiscal situation of the country, and the business community reiterated its commitment to push for a wider tax base and better handling of loss-making public sector enterprises.

Brigadier Mirza Kamran Zia, the leader of the NDU delegation, thanked FPCCI for their hospitality, and appreciated the opportunity that such visits provided to interact with the business community of the country. He mentioned that the National Security Workshop is specially designed for individuals from a wide spectrum of society, including Senators, MNAs, MPAs, representatives of political parties, members of civil society, media persons, and the banking community.

Engineer Usman Sheikh delivered the concluding vote of thanks, wherein he lauded the armed forces’ services to guard the country from internal and external dangers. He thanked all participants of the National Security Workshop for visiting FPCCI and expressed the hope that such visits would continue in future also. The event was concluded with the presentation of the FPCCI Crest to Brigadier Zia.

For more information, contact:
Syed Masood Alam Rizvi
Secretary General
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
Federation House, Main Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +9221 3587 3691, 93-94
Fax: +9221 3587 4332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk
URL: www.fpcci.com.pk