NOWSHERA: Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) President Rabia Taj has said that Pakistan Customs is a very important department of our country and it should work with honesty and efficiency by following advance methodologies.
Talking with Customs Today during an exclusive interview, President WCCI Nowshera said that she belonged to Risalpur but she became founder president of WCCI Nowshera after the Chamber got its license in 2016.
CT: What new development plan government should follow for betterment of business opportunities for women in upcoming budget 2019-20?
President WCCI: The national development should be balanced with equivalent distribution of resources to population both (males and females) in our country. Empowering women is vital to build stronger economies, attain globally planned targets for development and sustainability, and enhance the quality of life for women, men, families and communities. No doubt, the present Government of Pakistan is planning to meet SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and the goal is to get gender equality; ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls. In the coming budget the Government could start with giving women, freedom of comfort in doing business followed by some financial help in creative startups based on merit.
CT: What exports development plan WCCI Nowshera can propose to Federal Government for implementation?
President WCCI: The WCCI as a part of Nowshera is full of Pakhtoons having different entrepreneurial and creative startups ideas, we feel proud of having a unique way of everything which consequently gives our nation a unique identity regarding doing business and boosting the country economy, only government has to provide our people ease of doing business and support the Chambers in creating business awareness throughout their respective regions.
CT: Do you think that the newly appointed Chairman FBR Shaber Zadhi should make some policies for clearing consignments of women entrepreneurs in a speedy way, particularly for those relating with exports and if possible provide them facilitation in a way for promotion of local products, and don’t you think that banks should provide soft loans to business women?
President WCCI: Yes, why not providing ease of doing business and merit based soft loans can really turn the tables.
CT: What is your opinion about Pakistan Customs performance and what would you suggest for further development of the Customs department?
President WCCI: The Pakistan customs is a major source of revenue to the Government of Pakistan in the form of taxes levied on the goods traded across the borders so it is a very important department of our country, they should try to work with more honesty and efficiency with advance methodologies.
CT: What is current business situation of the country and why dollar rate is rising day by day?
President WCCI: I am sorry to say that current business environment in Pakistan is not good due to uncertainty regarding the market due to late IMF Agreement and in the coming budget Pakistan has to meet the IMF conditions and this also create negative impact in the market, and consistent current account deficit translates into increase in dollar value against the rupee.
