Business community demanded of the federal and provincial governments to take concrete steps for industrialization in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as to frame business-friendly policies. The demand was made by the newly elected president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Mohammad Faiz while addressing at Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Chamber House.
Besides, leader of Businessmen Forum, Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Ghazanfar Bilour, the chamber outgoing president Zahidullah Shinwari, outgoing SVP Mohammad Naeem Butt, outgoing VP Malik Niaz Awan, SCCI newly elected office bearers and members of executive committee were present during the AGM.
SCCI president reiterated his resolve to fully protect interests of business community. He urged the government to broaden the exiting tax net. He said the business community won't accept increase in taxes. He called for immediate withdrawal of the recent hike in gas tariff.
He said business friendly policies should be framed. He asked for bringing tax reforms and removal of impediments in refunds of Sale Tax (ST) and Income Tax (IT) to the business community. Mohammad Faiz eulogized the unwavering and matchless sacrifices of industrialists, traders and shopkeepers, which had continued their businesses despite all odds and unfavourable circumstances.
He continued to say that his top priority is to get maximum relief for the terrorism affected business community of K-P. He assured that he will make policies and strategy in consultation with business community. He said all the chambers of commerce and industry will take on board for stabilizing of the provincial economy.
SCCI chief said the improvement in bilateral trade relations is also included in his priorities. In this regard, he added that the issues would take up at government level of Pakistan and Afghanistan to take practical measures for their amicable readdressal.
Mohammad Faiz said the Research and Development cell of SCCI will make further functional. He added that special mechanism would be devised through the chamber research cell to sort out viable and durable solution of issues, which is being faced the business community.
The outgoing SCCI president Zahidullah Shinwari on the occasion briefed the participants about initiatives taken during his last year tenure for relief of the business community. Leader of Businessmen Forum Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour also spoke on the occasion and expressed the hope that the SCCI newly elected cabinet will serve for the best interests of business community and will play pivotal role in resolution of their all issues.