Budget preparation: STI urges government to take their representatives on board

Sindh Tajir Ittehad (STI) organised traders' convention to highlight the problems of the small businessmen. Small traders at the convention urged the government to consult their representatives during preparation of fiscal budget. A large number of small traders from different parts of the country attend the convention last weekend.
They hoped the convention will be a 'milestone' in the country's economic history to gather the 'underprivileged' business class on one-point agenda of solving their all long-running problems. Traders vowed to fight for their rights together and help the country's economy grow. They also called upon the fiscal policy makers to take their views on economic issues of the country which directly affect them.
Talking to Business Recorder on Monday, Chairman STI, Jamil Paracha hoped "the convention will prove to be impressive attempt to help record small traders concerns with government effectively". Coming together of small traders for resolution of their problems is a big development in the country's economic history, he said. He said the traders were united to fight for the legal and economic rights without taking support from any political party of the country.
"The government never consulted with small traders for economic policies in the last 65 years as a result their problems continued to grow despite having a sizeable contribution to economy," he said. He pointed out that the traders were largely affected by extortion, violence, targeted killings and uncertain political situation in the city. He said that lack of protection caused huge financial loss to traders.
"If government wants, I think these problems could be solved," he said, adding the last five years were the worst in the city's history for trade and citizens. "The government ignored the city for its poor law and order in the last five years," he said. Paracha asserted the traders will resist the government's 'arbitrary' policies and hoped the finance ministry will look into their proposals set forth during the convention.