Prolonged closure to be disastrous for economy, opines KCCI chief

KARACHI: Business and industrial community has said that the Sindh government should take notice of the situation and order the committee to notify standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the industries at the earliest while the labor department should only be authorized to vigilantly supervise all the industrial activities.

President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan said the government will have to act really fast in this regard with a view to saving the industries as prolonged closure of the industrial units is going to be disastrous for the entire economy.

While expressing concerns over the arrest of an owner of a textile mill, he said that it was not a wise move to arrest anyone or raid industries but any violation of government's order should be brought to KCCI's and relevant industrial zone association's notice so that the same could be amicably resolved through negotiations.

"The industrialists are already going through a very difficult situation and finding it really hard to stay afloat hence the government should refrain from exacerbating their problems and finalize the SOPs at the earliest so that the industries could accordingly adopt precautionary measures at their units to prevent the spread of coronavirus and at the same time ensure uninterrupted production activities," President KCCI added in a statement.

While referring to Chief Minister Sindh's meeting with representatives of the business and industrial community on April 4, President KCCI said that Chief Minister afterwards formed a committee which was tasked to outline the SOPs for industries but what happened to that Committee as the business and industrial community has not received any response or SOPs so far.

He said that those export-oriented industries that have residential colonies for labor force and provide private transportation facility to their workforce should be allowed to operate on a condition that they will ensure compliance of precautionary measures including social distancing.

President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Mian Anjum Nisar, urged all relevant authorities to take serious notice of the situation and advice SOPs to the trade and industry for smooth functioning as the economy of Pakistan may not be able to face prolonged closure.

Expressing serious concern over unfavorable behavior towards the trade and industry that are supporting the government to ensure economic sustainability in this crisis where every segment of economy is suffering, he said that legal/representative forums are available to complain against violation by any member of the business community. On the other hand the entire trade and industry has assured the government for economic progress despite various challenges due to COVID-19.

Mian Anjum Nisar expressed his concerns over the arrest of a member of the business community and termed it a discouraging environment for businesses where the industry is facing lot of challenges to compete and complete exports order that Pakistan needs to continue to bring foreign exchange through exports.

He further said that the exporters are losing orders, nearly 70 percent of export orders has been cancelled due to global environment and for completing the remaining 30 percent we need to function smoothly and adhere to health precautionary measures.

He stated that at this time of global crises where most of the countries are losing trade and facing drastic decline in exports, the government should follow policies favourable to industry and avoid strict actions against trade and industry of the country.

President of Site Association of Industry (SAI) Suleman Chawla urged the Sindh government to provide SOPs with immediate effect instead of shutting down industries.

Chawla said that the industrialists supported the government in every difficult time and still offered its support to the government once again.

"How long will the industrialists keep their factories locked up, and if the situation becomes more serious then the industries will be destroyed, and there will be an economic crisis. So the government should adopt a strategy that will keep the wheels of the industry turning and workers' jobs may be saved," he added.