Businessmen want enabling environment, peace of mind: Zubair Ahmed Malik

Govt assures FPCCI of resolution of problems, acceptance of demands

Directives issued to FBR for speedy implementation, other departments: Ishaq Dar

Dated: Sept 23

Government on Sunday assured The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for resolution of all the justified outstanding problems being confronted by the business community.

Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Finance Minister contacted President of FPCCI Zubair Ahmed Malik to inform him about the decision of the government regarding acceptance of all the reasonable and appropriate demands.

Ishaq Dar told FPCCI chief that FBR and all the other departments have been directed to expedite the formalities and implement decisions as soon as possible.

He said that provision of enabling environment to the traders and industrialists is among top priorities of the government which is necessary to attain growth targets and overcome multiple problems including unemployment.

Dar said that government will frame policies with the help of business community which can help fulfil agenda of national development at a rapid pace.

At the occasion, Zubair Ahmed Malik said that business community has been facing multifarious problems which must be resolved so that we can play our due role in the national development with peace of mind.

Law enforcing agencies has restored our confidence to so extent but the genuine demand of the business community to bring changes in the federal budget 2013-14 were not accepted which disappointed us, he said.

He said that inflation has taken toll on masses and all the sectors which has left people hungry and Pakistani products non-competitive in the regional and international markets.

The FPCCI chief said that the situation has left local and foreign investors very frustrated which is casting negative shadow on the economy.

Malik Zubair Ahmed hoped that government will accept all the warranted demands of the business community so that they continue their businesses restfully.

It may be mentioned that FPCCI on September 17 announced to look into the option of protest if their demands were not met by the government.

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Narcotics ministry become a threat to industrial, commercial business activities: FPCCI

Govt functionaries pushing country towards another crisis: Zubair Ahmed Malik

ANF chocking growth, stoking inflation, pushing up unemployment

FPCCI asks Govt to take note of highhandedness of ministry, ANF officials

Dated: Sept 14

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Saturday said Ministry of Narcotics Control (MoNC) has been harassing business community, chocking growth, reducing government’s revenue, triggering uncertainty, stoking inflation and contributing to massive unemployment.

MoNC has placed a ban on manufacturing, sale, purchase and use of certain chemicals including hydrochloric acid (HCL) without obtaining NOC and without informing stakeholders while Anti Narcotics Force has started putting businessmen behind the bars which is unfortunate, said Zubair Ahmed Malik, President FPCCI.

He said that MoNC has suddenly asked the stakeholders to take NOC before dealing in the chemicals without giving time for preparations. Many have applied for the NOC but bureaucratic inertia has been making the situation worst, he said.

The FPCCI Chief said that the unilateral and sudden decision has put the future of industries at stake while hurting major industries of national importance like power generation, textiles, paper, soap, water treatment, atomic energy, fertilisers, oil and oil well drilling, steel, food, dyes, chemical and many more.

Many industrial units will face a shutdown in few days while the prices of some chemicals have escalated from Rs4500 per tonne to Rs 35000 seen ten per cent hike due to controversial decisions for which end-users would be charged, he informed.

Zubair Ahmed Malik said that imposition of the condition has left industrial units unable to procure HCL from local manufacturers as they have been warned of strict action in case of sale or purchase of this chemical without the ministry's approval.

On the other hand, manufacturers of HCL says that little stock left which can cater for requirements of next few days and the production of major industries will come to a standstill if the ministry continued to insist on NOC before procurement of chemical.

Keeping manufacturers and users uninformed about the decision is the failure of the ministry concerned for which business community is being made to pay which is unacceptable, he said adding that many businessmen have been caught unaware which has sent very negative signals.

The affectees say that ministries of food, commerce, power, energy etc. were also not taken on board before the decision which is amazing, however Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control is aware of the situation and trying to settle the issue.

Malik said that all the requests for interim relief to help continue operations have fallen on deaf ears which will pave way for unrest, uncertainty, price hike and legal battles.

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PIA can be turned around: Zubair Ahmed Malik

Shutting down national flag carrier shouldn’t be an option

Bailout packages sans solid revival strategy waste of taxpayers’ money

Dated: Sept 12

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Thursday said Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is an asset, country’s pride and its flag carrier which shouldn’t be closed down under any circumstances.

Many leading airlines are offspring of the PIA, once placed amongst the top ten airliners of the world, it is now wasting around Rs3 billion per month which cannot be accepted, said President FPCCI Malik Zubair Ahmed.

Expressing concern over proposal to shut down PIA, he said that this is not the solution, bringing it back to profit needs simple steps like containing overstaffing, corruption, favouritism, political interference, mismanagement and introducing proper accountability system.

The FPCCI chief said that a professional management can swing PIA to profit by reopening profitable routes, grabbing the revenue worth Rs60 billion taken away by competitors, and luring millions of expats through improved service and cutting costs creeping beyond global industry standards.

PIA can also focus on downsizing and paying attention to the domestic market from where it gets half of its revenues, he added.

Zubair Ahmed Malik said that providing bailout packages without a solid revival plan amounts to wasting taxpayers’ money in an airline whose fuel cost has touched undesirable limit of 55 per cent of the revenue against 25-30 per cent accepted limits.

With 20 thousand employees, we have world’s most surplus employee-to aircraft-ratio standing at 570 against 120 which is a reason behind crumbling institution providing travel facilities to five million people annually. Increasing the number of aircraft can balance the ratio if reducing staff isn’t an option at this point.

PIA balance sheet for the year ended in Dec 31, 2012 shows after tax loss at Rs32 billion, up from Rs27 billion loss the earlier year. Its net revenue declined to Rs125 billion 2012, from Rs127 billion in 2011 while management cost surged by Rs1 billion because of the management hired on political considerations.

Locally-operated private airlines which are dependent on PIA for their maintenance are making profit while PIA with good infrastructure is losing money at an unprecedented rate which is amazing, he observed.

The government should go ahead with the reforms or induct honest businessmen on airline’s board to make it profitable, he said, adding that selling it through transparent process will work but closing it down in not appropriate, said Zubair.

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Business community fears economic contraction after IMF deal

Attaining growth within IMF limits biggest test for Govt: FPCCI

Govt may not be able to accomplish economic objectives: Zubair Ahmed Malik

Dated: Sept 11

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Wednesday said using IMF loan responsibly and ensuring growth within the parameters of lender’s harsh conditions is to be one of the biggest test of the government’s ability.

IMF policies are widely blamed for chocking growth making life difficult for masses and the private sector while the PML-N is known for its pro-investment and pro-business policies, said Zubair Ahmed Malik, President FPCCI.

This obvious contradiction will make it very difficult for the government to ensure growth keeping lender happy and without compromising the falling living standards of masses, he added.

Speaking to the business community, Zubair Ahmed Malik said that majority of the population is already living below the poverty line reeling under rising inflation while businesses are finding it difficult to sustain.

“We see ahead an era of further depreciation in exchange rate, monetary contraction, massive unemployment, dwindling exports, reduced forex reserves, missed revenue targets, double digit inflation and rising cost of production,” he added.

He said that gas levy estimated at Rs105 billion, 30 to 50 per cent increase in power tariff and 30 per cent escalation in domestic power price from next month could result in increased energy theft and decelerated power sector recoveries.

Business community doubts accomplishment of the Government’s stated objectives like pushing growth rate to six per cent in five years, fiscal deficit at 4 per cent, tax to GDP ratio at 15 per cent, investment to GDP ratio at 20 per cent, and generation of 10,000MW of electricity.

Similarly, the FPCCI chief said, increase in food production and expenditure on education by 4 per cent each, pushing literacy rate to 80 per cent, 2 per cent hike in health sector spending, and creation of three million jobs seems difficult tasks. 

He noted that deadly combination of growing fiscal deficit and unsustainable trade deficit should be tacked to ensure sustainability.

Zubair Ahmed Malik said that solid and bold policy action is lacking which can tackle terrorism and sectarianism and improve socio-economic and political situation of the country which will help reform the economic fundamentals ensuring a bright future for generations to come.

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Embassies, IWCCI to jointly take women empowerment initiatives

Pakistani women have great potential to spark economic growth

Islamabad: August 29

Women's economic empowerment has a crucial role in the socio-economic development of Pakistan therefore we have decided to cooperate with the IWCCI to meet the noble objective.

This was the crux of the speeches delivered by the spouses of Ambassador of Australia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka at a function organised by Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Speaking to businesswomen, Ms. Susan Heyward, Herry Listyawati, and Kumari Weerakkody said that we will jointly take steps to ensure capacity building and empowerment of women so that they can play their due role in the national development.

They said that supporting entrepreneurship is the best way to empower women which helps them realise their potential and fulfil their aspirations.

“We will enrich the women with practical skills for future livelihood endeavours,” they said adding that we will look into introducing some unique income-generating projects for local women.

Advancing women’s participation in all walks of life has become imperative without which a country cannot develop, they observed.

Speaking at the occasion, founder president and incumbent President of the IWCCI Samina Fazil and Farida Rashid said that Pakistani women needs improved access to education, health care and economic resources so that culture of discrimination can be successfully eliminated.

They called upon the developed countries to help business chambers enhance their technical capacity and organizational capability so that businesswomen may not face serious hardships in future.

The leaders of women entrepreneurs said that we are committed to increasing the opportunities and well-being of women and consider gender equality as an integral part of sustainable development.

We will continue to raise public awareness, try to gain influence with decision makers, support and promote women’s leadership agenda, and advocate for a change, said Samina Fazil and Farida Rashid.

Women comprise more than 50 per cent of total population but they have been forced into a systemic gender subordination which has pushed Pakistan at the bottom of Global Gender Gap Report.

Women need to be included in economic activities in order for countries to truly experience development and peace, said Farida Rashid.

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World heading towards ultra-fast 5G networks while Pakistan still unclear about 3G

Interned speed linked to pace of national development: Farida Rashid

Steps for smartphone manufacturing in Pakistan, waiver of import duties demanded

Islamabad: August 27

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Tuesday asked the government to take steps for rapid introduction of digital wisdom and computer-aided intelligence in Pakistan by auctioning 3G licence.

Mobile phones are no more a basic communication tool but a device to change lives therefore foreign investors should be invited to set up smartphone manufacturing facilities in Pakistan and meanwhile all taxes and duties on imports should be abandoned to provide new opportunities to masses, it said.

World is heading towards ultra-fast 5G networks, 100 times faster than 4G, but Pakistan is yet to introduce of 3G technology which is frustrating, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

She said that Interned download speed is directly linked to the pace of national development which must be realised at policy level.

Farida Rashid informed that currently 200 telecom operators across 75 countries are providing 4G mobile network services which are three times faster than 3G. Another 200 operators are in process of upgrading their networks to provide over 100 MB speed on mobile phones.

Estimates suggest that by 2018 half of the world’s population would be connected through 4G networks which is still a dream for people in Pakistan.

5G networks would be commercially available within few years changing the way we think and operate, it would be beginning of a new era where language and culture would be not a barrier therefore government should take steps ensuring that we don’t miss the boat, she demanded.

Farida Rashid said that we cannot ignore closely-connected digital world, driven by the mobile internet, smart devices and social networks which improves wisdom, human capabilities and business efficiency.

The next wave of digital onslaught will bring greater wonders and make our work and lives more efficient, intelligent and convenient and offer new possibilities for mankind.

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Taking South Asia seriously is manifesto of the Government

Rising trust between Pakistan, India to boost S Asia: Khurram Dastagir

Islamabad: Dated: July 06

State Minister for Privatization Engr. Khurram Dastagir Khan on Saturday said government has attached top priority to the welfare of the masses which is difficult without regional cooperation and deeper integration of Saarc countries.

He said that the rise in trust level between Pakistan and India will boost regional cooperation in South Asia and help addressing allied issues effectively.

Khurram Dastagir Khan said this while speaking at a seminar titled, “Creating Synergies for Regional Cooperation in South Asia,” organised by Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The minister further added that Pakistan and India are lacking proper linkages, infrastructure, banking channels, telecommunications and other facilities which are impeding bilateral trade which was currently lowest in the world.

VP Saarc Chamber Iftikhar Ali Malik, Gen. (Retd) Abdul Quyum, Secretary Commerce Qasim Niaz, VP FPCCI Sheikh Muhammad Ali, Sec. Gen. Saarc Chamber Iqbal Tabish also addressed at the inaugural session.

Speaking on the occasion, VP Saarc Chamber Iftikhar Ali Malik said that the new government has given new hope for improving Pakistan’s ties with India in particular and south Asian countries in general which would help promote economic relationship and boost the morale of the private sector of Pakistan. Private sector has a role in creating synergies for which creativity is an integral component, said Malik.

Addressing the technical session, DG South Asia Foreign Ministry Riffat Masood, DG SASSI Maira Sultan, DG Saarc Arbitration Council Syed Sultan Ahmed, DG Saarc HRD Riffat Ayesha Anis, Director Saarc energy Centre Hilal A Raza, President ICCI Zafar bakhtawri, and Advisor Unilever Pakistan Basharat Ahmed were of the opinion that the Saarc region as a whole could grow provided all regional conflicts are addressed in acceptable manner.

The speakers argued that despite having enormous potential, Saarc was home to twenty two per cent of the global population where around 50 per cent are living in poverty due to questionable priorities of the policymakers.

Safta has been operational since five years but the regional trade was dismal due to political sensitivities and misleading conceptions, they said. 

They emphasised for creating synergies through promoting cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, energy, tourism, and effective supply chain mechanism.

They said that lack of transportation facilities and cumbersome procedures and restrictions by neighbouring states hikes cost of doing business and cost of commodities up to 30 per cent which if brought down will benefit tens of millions of people.

Chairman Media FPCCI Malik Sohail facilitated the seminar.

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Ports needs a major policy transformation: IWCCI

Pakistani ports clogging maritime commerce
 

Islamabad: July 02

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Tuesday called for increased focus on developing ports to ensure smooth flow of merchandise and stimulation of economic activities.  

 

Country is passing through challenges while economy is under pressure due to various reasons including congestion of ports which remains one of the main hurdles to growth, it said.

 

Pakistan should allocate extra resources for development of ports which are handling 90 per cent of the nation’s external trade to unleash a new era of maritime commerce, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

 

Talking to the business community, she said that ports needs a major policy transformation as it holds the key to growth of most sectors like manufacturing, agriculture and trade.

 

Farida Rashid said that Port Qasim handling around 37 per cent of the nation’s cargo is earning good profit but the progress is slow while procedures have become a problem.

 

Development of Gwadar Port located at the juncture of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, needs urgent attention as all Pakistani ports hardly handle 1.1 million containers annually while only one Port of Jabel Ali, UAE handles 12 million containers per annum which will be expanded to 55 million containers by 2030, she said.

 

Similarly, the Port of Sohar, one of the eight in Oman, is hardly 100 km away from Gwadar, it has also become a major transhipment hub which will start handling 1.5 million containers once their US$130 million expansion project is completed by end 2013 while Port Sultan Qaboos can hand over 20 million tonnes of cargo, she said.

 

She said that Shanghai, China is on the top of 50 best container ports of the, Singapore in second while Pakistan is not mentioned in the list.

 

Farida Rashid said that Pakistan stands at 32^nd in Southeast Asia due to cumbersome operational, administrative and security procedures making it ill-equipped for competition and expansive for trade. Pakistani ports are at the bottom in the Saarc region with Dhaka on the top, she said.  

 

There are around 100,000 cargo ships in the world excluding naval ships and fishing boats etc., India and Iran owns more than 400 while PNSC which once had 70 ships is now operating only none.

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