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Lahore, December 29, 2016 (PPI-OT):Minister of State and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Marvi Memon has said that poverty alleviation is one of the top priorities of the present regime and BISP’s role is important in this regard. Federal government is working a number of development programs that would bring change in the lives of people.
The State Minister was talking to the LCCI Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Marvi Memon also threw light on the economic growth of the country and also shared many economic milestones achieved by the present government.
The Minister said that Benazir Income Support Fund is one of the largest social welfare programs around the globe. She said that within a short span of time, BISP has achieved what many organizations and programs have not achieved in decades. She said that BISP is set to seal top position in the world as it has adopted modern technologies to ensure transparency.
She said that comprehensive conceptual framework of BISP, supported by the state of the art technology and international best practices, makes it the most transparent and credible social safety system, not only in the country but in the world as well. She said that considering the transparency and efficacy of the program, multilateral financial institutions and international donors are providing both technical and financial support to BISP.
“At present, BISP is rated among the best social safety net programs of the world and grown at an impressive pace with the number of beneficiaries increasing”, she added.
Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said that Benazir Income Support Program is different of its kind and its continuity shows the political maturity of the present regime and commitment with the ailing part of the society.
He said that through stipend for BISP registered people has been increased but it is still very low. It should be enhanced so that poor people can cop the economic challenges while more people should also be registered under this program. He said that local government setup should be used for this purpose.
The LCCI Vice President 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 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.
The LCCI President said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry also tries to secure a business-friendly environment through sharing views with the government. The primary objective of LCCI is to protect the interests of the business community while remaining committed to the cause of development of the country.
He said that there are a number of issues that must be tackled on priority, the biggest one is how to keep the momentum of growth in the wake of a less than targeted growth of the Agriculture and the Manufacturing sector. The second one is the widening gap between exports and imports that could be contained by reducing import of luxury items.
While briefing the participants about the LCCI’s role in policy making, Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said that the LCCI has more than 100 sector specific Standing Committees. These committees collect private sector feedback, analyse and filter the same through subject experts.
He said that the LCCI is also quite conscious of its social role. He said that the LCCI has a self-sustaining project LABARD on its credit. They said that LABARD is not only acting as placement body for the disabled sections of the society but also provides relevant training to the young minds in an effort to rehabilitate them.
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