President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and industry (FPCCI), Rauf Alam has said that Pakistan has a great potential to get a big share in the global Halal market. Speaking at Executive Committee (ordinary) and Extra Ordinary General Body meetings of FPCCI held simultaneously, at Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore offices via video link under the Chairmanship of the President FPCCI, he said Pakistan is completely Halal production based country and we have direct access to the consumers in Central Asia, Middle East and Europe. He informed that FPCCI would soon sign an MoU with Punjab Halal Food Agency for the promotion of Halal sector.
While discussing the export potential of Halal Food in Pakistan the President FPCCI informed the house that out of the size of global Halal market of $2.8 trillion where the Pakistan share is only 0.5 percent despite of the fact that Pakistan being a Muslim country have a wide capacity of Halal food and products. Rauf Alam emphasised that Halal industry is globally fast emerging business, attracting 2 billion people both Muslims and non-Muslims.
While discussing the bilateral trade and economic relations with Iran in the wake of lifting of sanctions, he informed that FPCCI would also play an instrumental role to boost our trade relations with Iran. Rauf Alam informed the house that an MoU had already been signed with our Iranian counterpart during the recent visit of President of Iran Hassan Rouhani to Pakistan for establishing Pak-Iran Joint Chamber of Commerce and in the follow-up of the said MoU, The President FPCCI would take a trade delegation to Iran soon to further explore and avail the bilateral trade opportunities between both the brotherly countries.
While discussing the issues of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the house was informed that CPEC would bring an economic revolution in Pakistan. He informed that in various meetings with quarters concerned he urged the government should first protect the interest of local industry on CPEC project. The house demanded that transparency, clarity and synchronisation on CPEC must be maintained to avoid controversial issues and develop national consensus on CPEC. The house was informed that FPCCI will organise a national level seminar on CPEC in collaboration with the Planning Commission of Pakistan for creating awareness about its importance where the business community will be invited to participate. The house discussed at length the budget proposals of FPCCI for the forthcoming budget for the year 2016-17 which was compiled on the basis of recommendations received from its member trade bodies across Pakistan, ie all chambers and trade associations.
The house demanded that the proposals of FPCCI should be given due consideration by the government for incorporation in the forthcoming budget. He further informed that the construction work of FPCCI Islamabad Building has been restarted and expressed hope that FPCCI's Capital Office would be shifted from the rented premises to its own building by the end of the current year. Besides other matters, the house also approved the annual accounts for the year 2015.