The present leadership of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) is main hurdle in industrialisation in this region, as they ruined the Rawat Industrial Estate (RIE) for their personal interests, said Suhail A Sethi, Group leader of Business Group of RCCI here on Thursday. "Chambers all over world are guiding governments in forming financial and industrial policies, but unfortunately RCCI failed to even secure the interests of the business community of the region", Sethi said in an interview with Business Recorder.
He was of the view that RCCI if wants could play an important role in industrialisation in the area, but the present leadership of the chamber has lost its direction. "Rawat Industrial Estate was first private sector industrial zone in Pakistan but due to poor policies of the chamber leadership it proved a failure", he added.
In spite of developing the industrial estate, RCCI leaders used it for personal gains, he said adding that grid station was not installed as developer was given free hand.
Talking on financial issues of the chamber, he said that now the overdraft from banks should come to an end as Najam Rehan told him that after completion of exhibition RCCI would clear overdraft. "Rise in membership and activities after election has increased the income. Last year Rs 3.5 million income from exhibition and two exhibitions in just six months would help clear the OD", he added.
RCCI, he said is earning through different means as members are being charged for each and every letter being provided to them. Now chamber is on a position to earn profits.
He said that main reason of formation of Business Group was to save the chamber from destruction at the hands of vested interest forces. "We have played our role and are creating awareness among businessmen regarding their rights and the role of RCCI and surely this year would be the end of the vested interest group chamber", he added.
Responding to a question about the industrial sector in Rawalpindi he said that without having any proper patronage there are more than three hundred big and medium industrial units Rawalpindi, while hundreds of units are working in engineering sector. "Government should give incentives to people for establishing Small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) for better production in industrial sector besides eradication of unemployment and poverty", he demanded.
He said that entire world is facing challenges under WTO regime while Safta is also a challenge for Pakistani business community. RCCI has not taken any pains to educate its members about the threats to industrial sector as a result of these two agreements.
Suhail Sethi, running chemical industry unit said that small industrial units in Rawalpindi should be given facilities in order to play an effective role in industrial development of the region. "I am sure that these small units would turn into big industries, if provided better atmosphere and facilities", he added.
Government, he said should bring stability in the prices of petroleum products and decrease the rates of utilities including electricity and gas charges. "This would reduce the product cost and help Pakistani products to compete in international market", he added.