Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik has stressed the need for paying attention on research and development in agricultural sector to introduce new varieties having more yield potential and resistance against diseases. He was addressing a dinner reception arranged by Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Founder Group Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik in the honour of PIAF-Founder Alliance candidates with special focus on introduction of Ali Hussam, the sitting Treasurer REAP, and contender of Corporate Class seat in the LCCI elections.
Iftikhar Ali Malik assured the rice exporters and business community that he would take issues being faced by them at all forums through Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SAARC Chamber for their early solution. He said the exporters should understand that internationally a severe recession had hit the economies and Pakistan was facing its results too. He asked for putting more funds in research and development and bringing new technology to introduce more high yielding seeds of different vegetables, crops and fruits. "If we lagged behind in technology then we will be facing more problems," he added.
The SAARC Chamber's vice president further said that the government was taking different steps for enhancing exports and cited example of negotiation with Iran in this regard. However, he said that their business circles had to put in more efforts for improving the economy.
PIAF-Founders Alliance leader Mian Muhammad Ashraf speaking on the occasion criticised Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for setting up ambitious revenue collection targets, delay in sales tax refunds and failing to provide an environment conducive to business. He claimed that the government was running this country on loans and money of the businessmen stuck in refunds. He asked the REAP members to unanimously vote for the PIAF-Founder Alliance and claimed that the Alliance would emerge as victorious with a great majority.
PIAF Patron and a former LCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar said the sitting government was of the traders but it had given a very tough time to traders and industrialists during the last three years. He said stuck up sales tax refunds was not the only issue but repeated notices was another impediment in the way of smooth working of businesses. He said there was an improvement in provision of gas to industries but still some issues were there. Similarly, he said that industrialists were facing issues of infrastructure.
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