Businessmen Panel Congratulates Iftikhar Malik, Senator Ghulam Ali on Assuming Charge of SAARC CCI
Picture Credits: Associated Press of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Jul 04 (APP): The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI’s) Businessmen Panel on Saturday congratulated Iftikhar Ali Malik and Senator Haji Ghulam Ali, veteran trade leaders who took over as the new President and Vice President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) for the two years term.
Chairman BMP (Federal) Riaz Khattak said both persons have an extensive exposure in the Asia Pacific region and it is very likely that under their tenure Pakistan takes a strong foothold in the regional trade of the SAARC. He said that South Asian countries commonly feature a high concentration of economic activity in larger cities, vast untapped potential and excellence in the apparel industry, struggle in attracting investment within the region, less participation in products of high value and ICT – the world’s largest and fastest growing industry, limited success in the global and regional value chain, and low productivity coupled with weak management capabilities.
BMP Secretary General (Federal), Ahmad Jawad said that SAARC CCI has a pivotal role to play under the stewardship of Iftikhar Ali Malik and Haji Ghulam Ali in narrowing down difference of opinion of South Asian chambers, bringing the much-needed reconciliation, policy advocacy and lobbying through deeper understanding among members. Jawad said that the new world order after COVID19 has opened up new opportunities for business communities in the world especially towards the integration of South Asian economies. As of today COVID19 and climate change are the two common issues faced by all South Asian countries. He also hoped that the new leadership of SAARC CCI could start up a fruitful dialogue amongst South Asian chambers with a view to take a joint action to help South Asian industries make use of opportunities arising out of both COVID19 and climate change.
Similarly , Vice President SAARC CCI Senator Ghulam Ali, reciprocating the greetings from the officials said that we have set 20 percent increase in business of SAARC countries, improvement in investment, promotion of bilateral trade and exchange of business delegations as his target to be achieved during his stint in office. He spelled out his priorities while talking to newsmen after the meeting of the 80th Executive Committee of SAARC CCI. Haji Ghulam said that SAARC countries represent 25 percent of South Asian countries whose population is about 1.94 billion and contain countless opportunities of business investment due to their vast human resource. Apart from that, he continued, SAARC counties have plenty of natural resources which need to be tapped and utilized.
“The corona virus pandemic, like other countries, has also affected the economy of SAARC countries and in the prevailing scenario it is imperative to launch a joint plan of action for the revival of the economy of the region and for overcoming the impacts of the deadly infection”. Ali stressed. He said that presently the intra-regional trade is on five percent in comparison to the whole trade of the SAARC region and the impediment in promotion of commerce is due to a lack of strong business policies, weak infrastructure and insufficient logistic management system. Promotion of 20 percent trade among SAARC countries should be our resolve and for the achievement of this we will make all endeavours, he vowed.
Haji Ghulam Ali said it is the need of the hour to chalk out an effective joint policy of action for promotion of regional trade, banking, development of road and sea links, insurance and clearance.
He also suggested increasing the figure of SAARC visa sticker to 1000 for making possible SAARC networking with other chambers and organizations at international level. He made a proposal for the promotion of business and friendly relations among SAARC countries through holding of competitions in pharmaceuticals, leather and the textile sector besides the holding of games.
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