Nasir Mirza, newly elected president of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), has said that the Covid-19 has hampered trade activities in the region and pushed the economy towards contraction. It also has set new rules, changing the dimensions of business strategies where information technology plays a vital role, added Mirza while addressing the oath taking ceremony of newly elected office-bearers of RCCI here on Thursday. Nasir Mirza said that RCCI’s prime objective is to explore the existing trade potential of all viable sectors and dig out new avenues of growth and progress for the region. He said that RCCI will approach ministries, government departments, FBR and others for early resolution of the issues faced by the business community. He demanded the government that the business community should be taken on board in the policy making process. The government should provide a conducive environment for boosting trade and industry, and economic stability can be earned by removing bottlenecks. Nasir Malik also thanked group leaders, former presidents and traders for showing their confidence in him and vowed that he and his team would take every possible step to fulfil the confidence and trust of the seniors and no stone will be left unturned for the betterment of the business community of the region. Newly elected Senior Vice President Osman Ashraf and Vice President Shahraiz A Malik also expressed the same feelings and vowed that they will work as a team. Outgoing President Saboor Malik congratulated the new office-bearers and expressed hope that the new team will continue the policies and carry on the RCCI’s values.