Acting President Muhammadmian Soomro on Wednesday said the government is determined to bring the country out of economic crisis, and would provide relief to the business community and general masses.
Addressing at the ground breaking ceremony of Export Display Centre by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Soomro termed entrepreneurs a "valuable asset" for the country, and said the government would provide them maximum opportunities to benefit from their potential.
Soomro expressed satisfaction over the establishment of Export Display Centre in Islamabad, which he said would prove a good show window for the export industry including international market. He said Pakistan was passing through a very critical situation and the government had to face a number of economic challenges due to rapid global changes. He mentioned the oil prices and energy crisis putting negative impact on the economy and stressed the need for devising a concrete strategy to cope with the challenges.
He urged the need for focusing on the principles of skill development, cost of business and setting up markets beyond the geographies, which also proved helpful in the formation of strong world economies.
Soomro asked the business community to encourage women entrepreneurs as well as make efforts to boost cottage industry for the uplift of national economy. He said the government would support entrepreneurs in carrying out their businesses smoothly by rationalising the tax rate.
On the demand of business community for a housing scheme, Soomro said he would take up the proposal with Capital Development Authority to prepare feasibility of the project and submit it to the government for consideration.
He also favoured for the promulgation of Rent Control Act in Islamabad like other cities to help resolve disputes between the owners and tenants. President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi said the Export Display Centre to be constructed with the help of ICCI would provide an excellent opportunity to the buyers and sellers to transact business deals with minimum hassle under one roof.
He said ICCI was fully determined to provide support to the government for the acceleration of country's exports, which still had not touched the desired level.
He said ICCI had been constantly involved with the government in the formulation of the Budget and Trade Policy and expressed satisfaction that some of very important proposals had been accepted by the government. The ICCI President urged for early approval and promulgation of Rent Control Act in Islamabad by the parliament, which had already been approved by the Law Ministry. Senior Vice President ICCI Munawar Iqbal also spoke on the occasion.