The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has despatched copies of booklet titled Model Association to various associations and has requested them to include the activities in their agenda in order to serve their members.
Zulfikar Thaver President Unisame speaking on the characteristics of an ideal association pointed out that an association is not worthy of being called one if it does not serve its members. He said next to the Chambers the trade associations play a very important role and must work on scientific lines.
Describing an association as a group of persons joined together for some common purpose he said the basic requirements are that the association must have complete information about the line of trade it represents.
The sectors it involves, the areas and the scope are the primary requisites so that it can represent and protect the rights at all levels and in all forums.
The model has several chapters which covers the protection of rights, the representation facilities, the system of suggestions and recommendations.
The chapter on facilitation emphasises on help desk, information and advisory centres and complaints cell.
The model highlights the basic requirements of an enterprise which are premises, goods, manufacturing skills, marketing outlets, logistics and finance.
If the association is one of manufacturers then it must have a committee on engineering to promote reverse engineering.
An association must be in a position to cover these aspects diligently and be in a position to provide education and know how on the subjects.
One important chapter of the model deals with laws relating to Trade Marks, Patents, and acts relating to Factories, Labour and Mercantile, infact the model deems it necessary that every association must have a legal committee.
An ideal association in Pakistan must also have a thorough study on Islamic modes of financing because most of the traders do not borrow on mark up suspected to be interest and as a result cannot expand their business but if they are sure it is based on the Islamic principles of finance then they can borrow on the permissible terms to expand their businesses.
The last chapter deals with interaction with the foreign countries for transfer of technology which is of great importance for progress.
The model insists on the role of an association as a mini chamber of commerce and no association must be found lacking in any of its chapters.
Unisame has received very positive response from various trade groups who have appreciated the model and promised to adopt the chapters.-PR
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