Export-led growth key to economic development: LCCI

LAHORE, Oct 13 (APP):Export-led growth is essential for Pakistan’s sustainable economic development and the exports can only be increased by providing industrialists with a conducive business environment.

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ali Hussam Asghar expressed theses views, while addressing a delegation of industrialists from Ferozepur Road here on Tuesday. LCCI Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani, Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain and delegation leader Adeeb Iqbal Sheikh also spoke on the occasion. Former LCCI Vice Presidents Faisal Iqbal Sheikh and Mian Zahid Javed, Executive Committee members Ali Raza and Muhammad Umar Abdullah, former Executive Committee member Chaudhry Aurangzeb and delegation members Naseer, Sajid Minhas, Malik, Qaiser Hussain, Zaheer Bhutta, Kamil Mahmood, Mian Khurshid Anwar, Babar Jahangir, Faisal Amin and Hafiz Imran were also present.

Ali Hussam Asghar said, LCCI would approach relevant government departments to resolve the issues faced by industrialists on Ferozepur Road, improve business facilitation and eliminate unnecessary hurdles. He assured the delegation that an ad-hoc committee, headed by Adeeb Iqbal Sheikh, would be formed to address key industrial concerns and pursue their resolution on a priority basis.

He urged exporters to identify policies which were adversely affecting business activities, assuring them that the LCCI would raise these issues with the relevant authorities and play its role in addressing the difficulties faced by the business community.

The LCCI president informed the delegation that the LCCI had established a Complaint Cell to ensure the prompt resolution of members’ grievances. The cell had been linked with the Prime Minister’s dashboard concerning economic ministries to improve the referral of business complaints to the relevant authorities and make the resolution process more effective.

He added that the LCCI was making efforts for establishment of a Punjab government application through which investors could apply for setting up new factories and industrial units and obtain approvals for various licences through a streamlined process.

LCCI Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani assured the delegation of the Chamber’s full cooperation. He said that achieving economic development targets required building the confidence of industrialists and traders and involving them in consultations on policies affecting their businesses. He also stressed that the dignity and respect of the business community must be protected.

LCCI Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain urged industrialists from Ferozepur Road to share details of their problems and propose practical solutions so that the Chamber could take up the matter with the relevant departments.

The LCCI President said that the business community was not opposed to improving regulations and laws; however, their implementation should not harm industries or disrupt commercial activities. He observed that the registration of FIRs was damaging the business environment and stressed that, wherever legally appropriate, fines and corrective measures should be preferred over criminal proceedings for rectifiable violations.

Delegation leader Adeeb Iqbal Sheikh expressed concern over WASA bills, payment procedures and FIRs initiated by WASA, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and other departments. He said that industrialists were willing to pay their genuine outstanding dues, but the relevant authorities should listen to their concerns and resolve disputes through consultation and mutual understanding.

The LCCI president also proposed providing small industrialists with easy-term or interest-free loans to help them shift boilers and other machinery to environmentally friendly technologies.

During the meeting, participants also highlighted problems relating to damaged roads, drainage, sanitation and other basic infrastructure facilities on Ferozepur Road, calling for prompt action by the relevant authorities to improve conditions for industrial and commercial activities.