Commercial and economic activities completely halted due to ‘anti-business’ policies, border closure: President Junaid Altaf
PESHAWAR
President, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Junaid Altaf asserted that framing of business-friendly policies is crucial for trade, export and economic growth.
Speaking during an inland visit of 32nd Specialised Training (STP) officers of Pakistan Institute of Trade Development (PITAD), President Junaid Altaf said the KP is highly rich in natural resources, like oil, gas, hydel power generation etc.
Delegation of the PITAD officers was headed by Directing (Training) Suhail Ahmad.
Meeting was attended by SCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Nadeem, former senior vice president of the chamber Abdul Jalil Jan, members of the SCCI’s executive committee Adnan Nasir, Saifullah Khan, Shamsul Rahim and Ishfaq Ahmad, SCCI Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan, and traders, industrialists and others.
The chamber president urged civil service officers to play the role of facilitator instead of regulator and ensure implementation of economic policies in an effective and simplified manner while keeping in view the geological and ground realities of the region.
Vast investment opportunities available in gems, jewelry, marble, honey, olive, furniture, pharmaceutical, match, tourism and other sectors and called for efficiently tapping these potentials, which is essential for promotion of economic activities in the province, President Junaid Altaf said.
The SCCI chief paid rich tribute to the sacrifices for the Pakistan Armed forces, police and business community and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in war against terrorism.
He attributed that the ‘anti-business’ policies brought, coupled with prolonged closure of trade routes, have curtailed the trade, business and industrial growth that has generated massive unemployment in the province.
President Junaid Altaf mentioned that the cost of doing business in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is very high due to far-away from the seaport.
The SCCI chief continued to say that KP businessmen mostly dependent on trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republic but Torkham, Kharlachi, Ghulam Khan border had closed for the last nine months, calling them a lifeline for the trading community.
He observed the prolonged closure of borders has elevated economic owes of the traders, doing business and trade with regional countries.
President Junaid Altaf suggested formation of a 10-year long industrial policy.
He called for pragmatic steps for providing facilities in existing industrial estates/Economic zones, easiness and facilitation for trade with regional countries.
He emphasized economic policies should be outlined by consultation with the chamber and relevant stakeholders.
To a question from the visiting officers, the SCCI President mentioned that the government has set a benchmark 2 trillion dollar export, stating that the estimated export target can only be achieved by providing facilities to the business community, practical steps for Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and incentives for industries and businesses.
President Junaid Altaf while replying another question, lamented halting funds from Export Development Fund (EDF) for completion of the mega Peshawar Expo Centre for completion of the mega, urging the government to immediately release the required funds to complete remaining work on Expo Centre.
