Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Tuesday pledged to resolve the key issues facing the business community.

United Business Group (UBG) Chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik, said the country had entrusted UBG by voting for its nominated candidates in the FPCCI elections, and assured that the new leadership of FPCCI would deliver up to their standards.

He said this in a ceremony held by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), honouring the newly elected FPCCI President Zubair Tufail.

Pakistan Trade Development Authority Chief Patron S.M. Munir, UBG Chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik, and vice presidents of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and Chamber of Commerce Industry were also present on the occasion.

He said UBG would use the platform of the FPCCI to create a business friendly environment so that trade and industry could flourish and the economy could grow swiftly. He added that the FPCCI would be further strengthened to enhance the role of the private sector in the country’s economic development.

FPCCI Senior Vice President Aamir Ata Bajwa agreed that the best way to reduce unemployment and poverty was to assist the growth of trade and industry, vowing that the FPCCI would put in maximum efforts to achieve these goals.

Former FPCCI President Abdul Rauf, Founder Group Chairman Khalid Javed and other officials also spoke on the occasion, assuring full support to United Business Group.

ICCI President Khalid Iqbal Malik, congratulated Tufail on being elected as president and hoped that he would strive hard to turn the FPCCI into a model apex trade body. He added that he hoped that the organisation would play a leading role in the resolution of trade and industry issues.

He also congratulated S.M. Munir and Iftikhar Ali Malik, noting that and said the UBG’s re election in FPCCI elections reflected the trust and confidence of business community on its fine performance.

He stressed that the FPCCI should take all chambers and associations of the country on board on important issues and finalise budgets and other economic policies with their counsel.

He added that the FPCCI should work with the government to provide chambers and associations with representation in the governing boards of business related public sector organisations. He said that this would help in promoting the interest of the business community in order to improve overall trade.

He also directed the FPCCI to ensure due representation of Pakistan in foreign exhibitions and trade fairs.