New SCCI leadership urged to address traders’ concerns

Peshawar  –  Businessmen from various sectors have congratulated the newly elected office-bearers and members of the executive committee of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), expressing hope that the new leadership would work diligently to address the problems confronting the local business community.

Following the formal assumption of office by SCCI President Malik Imran Ishaq, Vice Presidents Naeemur Rehman and Abid Pervez Awan, delegations representing importers, exporters, mobile accessories traders, automobile and spare-parts dealers, and the Pak International Business Forum visited the chamber to congratulate the new office-bearers and executive committee members, as well as former presidents and other chamber leaders.

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Speaking to the visiting delegations, Mr Ishaq acknowledged the concerns raised by traders over the prolonged closure of the border, multiple and double taxation, what they described as unwarranted actions by provincial and federal authorities, anti-business policies and high fuel and energy prices.

He said these factors had increased the cost of doing business, contributed to de-industrialisation and slowed commercial and economic activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The SCCI president stressed the need for a comprehensive economic relief package to revive industry and business in the province. “Traders are the backbone of the country’s economy and must be facilitated and provided with all possible relief,” he said.

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Mr Ishaq noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s distance from the country’s major port city added significantly to the cost of doing business compared with other parts of the country.

He said the prolonged closure of the border had further aggravated the economic difficulties of the business community, particularly those dependent on trade with neighbouring countries. As a result, he added, industrial and commercial activities had slowed, leading to increased unemployment.

The SCCI president welcomed the visiting delegations and said the chamber fully understood the difficulties confronting the business community. He said the SCCI had consistently played a key role in resolving traders’ problems under its principle of selfless service.

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Mr Ishaq urged traders to submit their grievances in writing so that the chamber could take them up with the relevant federal and provincial authorities for early resolution.

He also assured them that their representatives would be consulted in formulating viable proposals to address their concerns.

The SCCI president also urged the government and relevant departments to take practical measures to resolve the challenges facing the business community and facilitate economic activity in the province.

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