SCCI calls for framing sustainable policies for economic growth and progress

PESHAWAR
Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Fazal Moqeem Khan stressed the need for framing and enforcement of sustainable and durable policies for economic prosperity and development in the country.
Moqeem called upon the policymakers, bureaucracy and relevant institutions to outline policies in consultation with chambers to enforce them without any delay or hurdles.
SCCI chief demanded KP’s all constitutional rights with regard to natural resources, i.e electricity and gas should be ensured to revive and flourish economic and trade activities and generate maximum employment opportunities in the province.
Moqeem was speaking to members during a study tour of 31-members of Mid-career management training officers under Kashmir Institute of Management (KIM), Azad Jammu and Kashmir, headed by Directing Staff, KIM, AJK Tariq Mehmood Butt, here at the chamber house.
SCCI senior vice president Abdul Jalil Jan, former presidents Fuad Ishaq, Faiz Muhammad Faizi, and Ihsanullah, Ishtiaq Ahmad Paracha, Saddar Gul, Faiz Rasool, Secretary General SCCI Muqtasid Ahsan, traders and industrialists were present in the meeting.
Moqeem said the natural resources-rich KP province is lagging behind in the race of development as compared to other federating units, which is a matter of grave concern.
Being a frontline KP’ province in war against terrorism, he said the business community has faced enormous difficulties and continued business and trade by rendering sacrifices and martyrdoms, so we highly appreciate them because doing business in KP is not less than a holy war [Jehad].
Sharing figure about the gas production in KP, Moqeem said the province is producing 500MMCFDs gas against its only 200mmcfds consumption and rest of surplus gas is exporting to national grid, despite the fact that KP had put in RLNG basket, which is completely unjust and unacceptable.
The SCCI chief informed that the total oil production of KP is 31,000/barrel which is 42 percent of the country’s total production. He demanded the establishment of an oil refinery in KP.
Moqeem said KP business and trade mostly attached with Afghanistan, therefore, he urged government and relevant institutions to remove hurdles in the way of bilateral and transit trade to enhance trade volume between the neighboring countries.
He mentioned due to far away from port city, the KP business community has faced with severe difficulties and now KP government had added to miseries of traders by imposing 2 percent Infrastructure Development Cess on export, which should be abolished immediately.
The chamber president mentioned the flight of capital and brain drain from KP, stating that due to poor law and order situation, investors were reluctant to visit the province.
Earlier, the senior officers’ delegation apprised about the historic importance, role, different initiatives for welfare and betterment of the business community, future plan and working of the Sarhad chamber through a comprehensive multi-media documentary.