The newly elected president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) president, Ghazanfar Bilour has reiterated his commitment to resolve the business community issues on priority basis and said the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will soon announce a fresh fiscal relief package for business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This he stated while speaking at reception hosted by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in his honor here on Saturday.
Ghazanfar Bilour was accorded warm welcome by UBG and business community of KP at Bacha Khan International Airport and brought to the Sarhad Chamber in a convoy after becoming President FPCCI. During the function, the United Business Group Senior leader, Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, SCCI president Zahidullah Shinwari, members of executive committee, UBG leaders, president of various chambers, Haroon Bilour were also present.
FPCCI chief said the refund issue of business community would be resolved shortly. He said all the chambers and business community entrusted upon him for this top position of the federation and assured them they would fully come up their expectations.
He said the suggestion has put forward before the federal government to increase value of local currency against the dollar. He said the better coordination would be assured with all chambers, including SCCI. He said that formulation of business-friendly policies in consultation with business community is top among their priorities. "I will leave no stone unturned in resolving problems confronted by small and big traders from KP particularly and entire Pakistan generally on priority as I am the son of Peshawar and interest of this province, KP is dearest to me", he vowed. Bilour said that he serve Peshawar the same way, elders of Bilour family served. He recalled that his Shaheed Uncle Bashir Ahmad Bilour would have delighted today, had he been alive, but Bashir Bilour embraced martyrdom.
FPCCI chief recalled demands he made to Federal Finance Minister wherein he requested federal minister to release refund of small and big traders phase-wise as business of small traders affect adversely due to non-payment of refund by authorities. He also urged the minister to adopt measures for revitalization of industry as it will generate employment opportunities.
He also requested the minister to withdraw with-holding tax which is against the interest of business community and discouraging traders from depositing their capital in banks. Ghazanfar informed that he requested the minister to control prices of dollar and POL which causes price-hike. Bilour informed that he will urge Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for announcing special relief package for the welfare of business community. He credited his FPCCI victory to the efforts of his father Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, Bilour family, his friends, business community and SCCI management and members.
Zahid Ullah Shinwari, President SCCI in his address thanked Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, Central UBG leadership, members of Haripur, Swat, Dir and Bajaur Chambers of Commerce and Industry, office-bearers of trader associations who played vital role in election of Ghazanfar Bilour as President FPCCI. He paid great tribute to office-bearers of Haripur, Swat, Dir and Bajaur Chambers for rejecting offers by opponents for changing their loyalty and vowed that their friendship will remain long lasting and UBG shall stand by their faithful friends through thick and thin/hard times. He also mentioned derogatory tactics used by UBG opponents. Shinwari recalled that he had termed election victory of FPCCI President Seat as his greatest challenge during his inaugural speech as SCCI President and Almighty has vindicated his efforts.