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PESHAWAR, Nov 23 (APP):Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Al-Baraka Bank have entered into collaboration to strengthen small and large scale businesses, industries and uplift and diversify various important sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The commitment was made during a meeting between SCCI President Junaid Altaf and Chief Executive Officer, Al-Baraka Bank Mr Atif Hanif here at the chamber house.
The meeting thoroughly discussed a number of challenges and issues that were hampering small and large scale business and industries, and bringing diversification in various potential sectors to boost trade and export from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
To execute the commitment practically, SCCI chief Junaid Altaf and CEO Al-Baraka Atif Hanif signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the meeting.
The Area Head of the Al-Baraka Bank Anwar Kazmi, Regional Manager Aftab Haider Khan, Cluster Manager Zain Shah and Branch Manager Asif Shazhad were accompanied by the CEO Atif Hanif during the visit to the chamber house.
The meeting was attended by the chamber senior vice president Muhammad Nadeem, former president Haji Muhammad Asif, former senior vice president Abdul Jalil Jan, Sanaullah Khan, former vice president Anees Ashraf, members of the SCCI’ executive committee Aftab Ibqal, Abbas Fuad Azeem, Ashfaq Ahmad and Saddam Hussain, and WCCIP President Ms Qurtul Ain, Vice President Zareen Akhtar, and Syed Ejaz Ali Shah, Saddar Gul, Faiz Rasool, Fazl e Wahid, Ishtiaq Muhammad, SCCI Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan and others.
President Junaid Altaf in his opening remarks shed the light on issues and problems related to trade, small and medium enterprises and industries.
SCCI chief highlighted KP’ trade, investment and export-oriented potentials, such as gems, jewelry, honey, furniture, pharmaceutical, mining, oil, gas and hydel power generation and urged Al-Baraka Bank to come forward to work together with the chamber for diversification and modernization of these important sectors to boost export.
Enlightening about the various future initiatives, President Junaid Altaf said SCCI in collaboration with WCCIP is working on a holistic plan for setting up a state of art IT Park, development youth entrepreneurship, and support of startups businesses as well as up-gradation and beautification of stores/outlets.
President Junaid Altaf mentioned about hardships of the business community, stating that KP has played a frontline role and faced with multiple challenges and said SCCI in collaboration with federal and provincial governments and Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi is working on building of a soft image of KP to attract foreign investment and boost export from this region.
The SCCI chief also highlighted the border related issues, saying that KP businessmen have faced great difficulties due to closure of trade routes as it is mostly dependent on the Afghanistan and Central Asian countries market.
He said there is immense potential to enhance regional trade, however, stressed building direct connections and joint ventures and collaboration with cement trade and economic relations with CARs countries.
Declaring CEO Atif Hanif as honorary Brand Ambassador of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, President Junaid Altaf demanded establishment of facilitation desk of Al-Baraka Bank at SCCI house, ensuring running finance for entrepreneurs, awareness session on Islamic Banking system,
Earlier, Al-Baraka Bank CEO Atif Hanif in his keynote speech said that despite challenging environment, KP businessmen have continued to contribute to the national economy, which is highly commendable.
CEO Atif Hanif called for diversification of export-oriented products, including honey, gems, marble, olive and other potentials of KP.
He mentioned Pakistan has a great opportunity to boost export of Halal products as the rapid emergence of Halal economy throughout the world.
Giving statistics and official figures, he mentioned Pakistan exports, especially related to Halal products, are very low, which need to be enhanced.
He added Halal tourism has almost touched $2.5billion, besides, Halal Fashion trade crossed 400billion.
CEO Atif Hanif emphasized on SCCI to focus on export and transit export data collection to ascertain the correct figures and enhance the mutual trade and export volume.