Govt asked to promote organic farming for a healthy society

Govt asked to promote organic farming for a healthy society

Businesswomen asked to explore economic benefits of organic farming

Organic agriculture benefits environment, production and conserve nature

Islamabad: Sept 22

Samina Fazil, founder President, Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Sunday asked the government to promote organic farming for a healthy society and prosperous farming community.

The government should adopt an organic farming policy, promote the use of genetically non-modified seeds, launch awareness campaign and bring at least 15 per cent of the land under organic farming, she said.

Businesswomen should to explore opportunities in the lucrative field of organic farming which promises good returns, benefits environment, boost production and conserve nature, she said while speaking at a workshop jointly organised by IWCCI and TheNetwork.

Samina Fazil said that there is a great demand of different varieties among growing number of organic food consumers which can be exploited by the business community.   

She said that organic farming can reduce cost by over 25 per cent by abandoning the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; it minimise soil erosion by around 50 pc and increasing crop yields up to five-fold within five years.

Organic farming supports wildlife, improve entire ecosystems and reduce contamination in the ground water while dairies can ensure better livestock health, less sickness, and better milk and meat for consumers, said Samina Fazil.

Asking the business community to consider organic food stores across the country, she said that organically grown products are free from harmful chemicals, artificial flavours and preservatives which improve health and reduce healthcare costs.

It reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cancer because it is not loaded with toxins and chemicals, she informed.

Those who cannot find organic food in the vicinity can start developing good eating habits and reduce the hazardous impact of pesticides from initiating kitchen gardening, she said.

TheNetwork was represented by Rubina Bhatti, Dr. Sobia Faisal, Waheed Iqbal,  Saira Khalid, Sahaab Farooq and Arish Naseem. 

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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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IWCCI expresses concern over rising inflation

Govt may miss inflation target for the current fiscal

Situation to improve if Govt fulfils its reform agenda

Stock market optimistic about Govt policies

Dated: August 11

Islamabad:

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Sunday expressed concern over rising inflation and economic slowdown which is adding to the miseries of the masses.

Government should take immediate steps to contain inflation otherwise it may miss the target of keeping inflation at 8 per cent in the on-going fiscal, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

In a statement issued here today, she said that high inflation will compromise Pakistan’s bargaining position with the international lenders during negotiations.

There is no chance of any improvement in the income of masses therefore rising inflation will result in more poverty, reduced savings, decreased investments as well as contracted growth rate, she added.

She warned that inflation would erode local currency while the central bank will have no option but to hike the policy rate in the first monetary policy under the new political setup.

Farida Rashid said that upward revision of interest rates will make loans costly for government as well as business community which will cast a negative shadow on economy.

It will force many businesses to become uncompetitive resulting in lost opportunities at home and abroad, colossal losses, bankruptcies, lower tax collections and unemployment, she warned.

Farida Rashid said that credit of recent wave of price hike goes to the fiscal policies of the former government while the recent steps like hike in Sales Tax and increase in prices of electricity and petroleum products is also to be blamed.

Absence of proper mechanism to check prices during the holy month of Ramadan has also contributed to the hike in prices of food items, she added.

She said that situation can improve if the PML-N government successfully fulfils its reform agenda that comprise reduction in budget deficit, attracting foreign investment, taming energy crisis and control precarious law and order situation.

All the stock markets performed well ahead of the Eid holidays which could be attributed to the confidence of portfolio investors in the government economic policies.

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Cell phones most effective poverty alleviation tool

Mobile phone penetration directly linked to GDP growth

Govt asked to reduce taxes on telecom industry to empower masses

Islamabad: August 01

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Thursday said mobile phones are one of the most effective tool to lift people out of poverty and provide opportunities to entrepreneurs therefore government should reduce taxes on telecom industry.

Pakistan’s telecom industry has been paying Rs 57 billion tax per year which is one of the most heavily taxed sectors in the Saarc region, it said.

Mobile phones have brought about remarkable social progress in low-income countries while its impact has been estimated at a quarter of trillion USD in the poverty belt that includes South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

Mobile phones is a great productivity tool which make citizens economically strong who in turn make their governments more accountable and friendly to worthy causes including a peaceful and prosperous world, she added.

Farida Rashid said that according to a study of 120 countries conducted by the World Bank, a 10 per cent increase in mobile phone penetration results in a 0.8 per cent increase in economic growth.

From 1996 to 2011, mobile phone penetration in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa combined rose from zero per cent to 63 per cent. During the 15- year period the poverty belt experienced on average an additional one per cent economic growth rate due to mobile phones, the study says.

Within this same period, the combined GDP of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa grew, from $811 billion to $1,870 billion, an average annual growth rate of 5.72 per cent.

Without the impact of mobile phones, these economies would have grown at an annual rate of 4.72 per cent, and the economy of the poverty belt by 2011 would be only $1,620 billion.

Mobiles are not a luxury product became a mass product that advances economic situation of consumer by saving time, money, labour, transportation, and opportunity costs.

Cell phones have resulted in continued economic and social progress in low-income countries therefore telecom industry must be promoted by policymakers, Farida Rashid demanded.

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Thar coal can transform Saarc into energy rich area

 Saarc most energy poor region in the world

Millions of lives, economies can be transformed by access to energy

Islamabad: Dated: July 29

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Sunday said Saarc is the most energy deficient region in the world which has made it home to the majority of the poor living on earth.

Tens of millions of lives can be transformed in Pakistan and whole region by giving masses the access to affordable energy, it said.

Economies can be energised by tackling the problem of energy scarcity for which best use of Thar coal has become imperative, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

Talking to the business community, she said that proper management of Thar coal can resolve issues like stalled economic progress, wealth distribution gaps, high unemployment, soaring inflation and rising oil import bill.

She said that at the twelfth SAARC Summit, the heads of states agreed to strengthen energy cooperation for accelerated and balanced economic growth but little has been done in the last nine years.

Farida Rashid said that all the members of Saarc except Bhutan are energy deficient and oil importing countries which will face a minimum of 200 per cent hike in energy demand in the next fourteen years.

In the region, 29 per cent of energy demand in satisfied with oil, 48 pc with coal, 15 pc with natural gas, 7 pc with hydel and one pc with nuclear energy, she said adding that energy mix of majority of the countries is not sustainable.

Farida Rashid said that there is a direct relationship between economic growth and increased demand of energy as well as its continuous supply.

She said that it is very important to explore all possible options to ensure and enhance regular supply of energy to support the economic growth and help alleviate poverty.

Saarc is home to 23 per cent of total world population where 500 million lives below the poverty line that deserves a better life.

Further delay in exploitation of Thar coal will have very negative consequences for Pakistan, warned Farida Rashid.

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Pakistan’s future linked to elimination of power subsidies

Pakistan’s future linked to elimination of power subsidies

Islamabad: July 07

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) said on Sunday lauded the decision of the government to phase out power subsidies gradually terming it in the best interest of country.

It is very difficult for Pakistan to survive without foreign aid in presence of power sector and energy subsidies, she said.

Talking to Chairman Coordination FPCCI Sheikh Abdul Razzaque, VP FPCCI Muhammad Ali, Chairman Media FPCCI Malik Sohail and others, Farida Rashid said that subsidies have not benefited poor but rich while it misbalances the budget.

She said that subsidies leave little funds with government to spend of public welfare, it boost demand while reduces investment in renewables.

Subsidies also contributes to social injustice, discourages private sector and push up the global warming, she added.

She said that losses of the power subsidy have reached to an extent that it has become an issue of national security.

At the occasion, Sheikh Abdul Razzaque said that different national are paying around two trillion dollar in power subsidies which if abolished will reduce global demand and decrease global warming by 13 per cent.

Last year our oil import bill was $ 14 billion which will touch mark of $ 50 billion in seven years, enough to leave Pakistan bankrupt, he said.

He said that country will be unable to cope with Rs 500 billion circular debt in presence of power subsidies which is deterring local and foreign investors.

Thar holds 99 per cent more energy than whole gas reserves of Pakistan put together but the speed of development is frustrating, he observed.

He said that plight of poor of the country must be considered while abolishing subsidies.

The masses and business community will soon see the positive impact of the decisions of the government which are presently viewed by some as unfavourable, remarked Sheikh Abdul Razzaque.

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US want to lift Pakistani business community: Sarah Peck

Top US official visits women’s chamber

IWCCI demand expanded bilateral economic engagement

   

Islamabad: July 28^th

Sarah C. Peck, Executive Director US-Pakistan Women’s Council, US Department of State on Friday said her country is taking keen interest in expanding relations with Pakistan and promote the women entrepreneurs.

The representative of Pakistan’s most important trading partner said that US is trying to lift the standard of living of people of Pakistan and support the business community.

I have come to Pakistan to review the situation and forward recommendations for increased trade relaxations, she said while speaking to female entrepreneurs.

Founder President Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) Samina Fazil, President Farida Rashid, Secretary General IWCCI Sara Ansari and others were also present on the occasion.

US official Sarah C. Peck, flanked with the staff of US Embassy, said lauded the efforts of IWCCI in supporting women and said that a MOU will be signed to promote cooperation and empower women.

“I will seriously consider the proposal to establish a think-tank for designers from the two countries which will broaden ties between private sectors of both countries,” she said. .

Speaking at the occasion, Samina Fazil and Farida Rashid hoped that there will be a positive outcome of the meeting which will result in quick progress.

Pakistani exporters are facing different barriers hampering the bilateral trade which is already below the potential, they remarked.

Pakistani textiles should gain access to the US market on favourable terms or at least on similar terms as offered to other least developed countries, the IWCCI leaders demanded.

Future cooperation can be ensured through better understanding which can be ensured through frequent exchange of delegations, the said.

Farida Rashid asked the US to hold an investment conference in Pakistan and step forward to resolve energy crisis which has shaken the foundations of economy.

Relationship between two countries is heading towards stability which can improve rapidly if US focus on trade and not just aid to expand bilateral economic engagement.

Farida Rashid lauded the policy of the government, supported by the US, to expand economic cooperation with its neighbours including India, Afghanistan and the Central Asian republics.

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