Traders concerned over imposition of MRP on import of tea, President Junaid Altaf highlights border issues, policy and administrative drawbacks, VP FPCCI calls for offering special financial package war-torn KP
PESHAWAR
Traders associated with the tea sector raised serious concerns over imposition of minimum retail price (MRP) on the legal import of black tea and ineffectiveness to address issues allied with this important sector.
Traders and importers stressed the need for pragmatic steps for diversification, modernization, quality improvement and formulation of a proper mechanism to overcome the issues to boost the tea sector.
These issues were discussed during a meeting of tea traders and importers chaired by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Junaid Altaf upon the visit of the Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce (FPCCI) Aman Paracha upon his visit to the chamber house on Saturday.
Senior vice president Muhammad Nadeem, vice president Sabir Ahmad Bangash, former president Fazal Moqeem Khan, former senior vice president Imran Khan Mohmand, members of the chamber’s executive committee Adnan Nasir, Aftab Iqbal, Ishfaq Ahmad and Saifullah Khan, and Ihsanullah, Fahad Amin, Saddar Gul, Fazl e Wahid, Ishtiaq Muhammad Paracha, Rashid Iqbal Siddiqui, Secretary General SCCI Muqtasid Ahsan, tea traders, importers and dealers were present in a large number.
In his opening remarks, the SCCI chief informed about the issues associated with the tea sector, especially frequent closure of borders, policy and administration drawbacks, and others.
KP is far away from seaport due to which traders were being faced with multiple issues and cost of doing business has increased excessively amid fresh wave of terrorism, natural calamities and anti-business/trade policies and other factors, Junaid Altaf informed.
The chamber president called for concrete measures for proper branding, packing of tea and issues associated with this important sector which has enormous contribution in economic growth, business and employment throughout the country.
Later, FPCCI VP Aman Paracha speaking on the occasion congratulated the newly elected office bearers of the SCCI.
He acknowledged KP has suffered immensely owing to terrorism, floods and other major reasons that has brought sluggishness in business, trade and export.
He stressed the need of offering a special financial relief package and special incentive to revive business and industry in the war-torn KP region.
Similarly, he said the tea sector has suffered a lot due to countless factors and hurdles that have highly perturbed the traders and importers.
Regarding the imposition of MRP on import of tea, VP Aman Paracha said MPR has become awful for the traders because MRP cannot be imposed on bulk of tea import and stated this issue has proactively taken up with authorities concerned and hoped efforts are underway to abolish this MRP.
Talking about frequent border closure, Aman Paracha said peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan is beneficial for Pakistan.
