Federal Minister Mohammadmian Soomro said that government would consult business community on privatisation process. "I'll communicate all the grievances of business community to the concerned ministries. I'll fully cooperate to resolve your issues," the minister for privatisation gave these assurances in a meeting with rice exporters at residence of Abdul Rahim Janoo, former chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP).
Soomro said being the representative of Karachi city he would play his due role in this regard.
"We understand that this is the difficult phase for the economy but we assure the business community that all matters will be resolved befittingly with the consultation," he said.
The REAP chairman Safder Mehkri spoke on deteriorated condition of Trading Corporation of Pakistan's (TCP) Pipri godowns. He suggested that TCP's Pipri godowns should be converted into a Rice zone which would definitely generate huge revenue to government.
He said that after the budget, the REAP is the single Association which have not protested against the government. "But, it seems that federal government is willing to impose the Finance Bill quickly which is not possible," he said, suggesting that the FBR should implement their reforms gradually. He further suggested that sufficient time be given to the business community.
Janoo said that after the federal budget 2019, business community is quite despairing; therefore, the relevant issues need to be addressed. He said that business community of Karachi had endeavoured for the success of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Elections 2018. But, he added, unfortunately, government seems to have opened many fronts and not coping with any issue, properly.
The REAP veteran also requested federal minister Mohammadmian Soomro to apprise the business community of the future economic plans of government to address the grievances of businessmen in a detailed meeting at REAP office.
He also proposed interactive meeting with the businessmen community on quarterly basis to solve their problems.
During question-answer session, FPCCI vice president Muslim Muhammadi said that exports of fisheries are banned in Europe, USA and Saudi Arabia for last many years. He requested the minister to play role to sort it out at the earliest. Soomro assured his full cooperation to take the notice.
Polani's Group chairman Yahya Polani expressed concern that even welfare trusts are being harassed by FBR officials through sending unjustified notices. Minister assured that he would arrange a meeting of office bearers of these welfare trusts with the officials of Ministry of Finance and FBR to resolve their issues on priority basis.
Anis Majeed, patron-in-chief of Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA) drew his attention to the problems of small traders.