RCCI delegation calls on Finance Minister, briefs him RCCI’s recent US visit

RAWALPINDI, Mar 09 (APP):A delegation of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), led by President Usman Shaukat

and Group Leader Sohail Altaf, called on Federal Minister for Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb, in Islamabad.

During the meeting, President Usman Shaukat briefed the Finance Minister on RCCI’s recent trade delegation

visit to the United States.

He highlighted the Chamber’s efforts to enhance bilateral trade by facilitating connections between middle-market companies and SMEs of Pakistan and the United States.

The Finance Minister appreciated RCCI’s proactive role in promoting trade diplomacy and strengthening

business-to-business linkages, and assured that the Chamber’s proposals would be incorporated into

the upcoming trade policy.

The delegation pointed out structural and contractual enforcement issues that are hindering bilateral

investment.

The Finance Minister responded that these challenges are being addressed through upcoming policy

initiatives, including the proposed Industrial Policy, aimed at improving overall investment climate.

The Finance Minister said that the price adjustment was necessary to prevent depletion of petroleum

stocks and to ensure uninterrupted supply across the country.

He assured RCCI that the government would strictly monitor the situation to prevent any undue inventory

gains by companies and enforce a minimum 20-day inventory requirement for all OMCs, which may result

in inventory losses if prices fluctuate.

The RCCI leadership emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive package to stimulate construction

sector, noting that revival of construction activity would generate employment and accelerate economic

growth.

They also stressed that encouraging local investors is essential, as foreign investment typically follows

strong domestic investment.

The Finance Minister and his team also appreciated RCCI’s role as a leading chamber of commerce,

acknowledging its proactive approach in highlighting key economic issues and providing constructive

policy recommendations.

Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi and Executive Member Imran Ali were also present on the

occasion.