ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan on Saturday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the business community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
He said while chairing a meeting with a delegation of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), which focused on the key issues faced by the chamber, said a news release.
Haroon assured the delegation that, under the direction of prime minister’s, all issues raised by the chamber will be addressed promptly. He added that the prime minister is working tirelessly for the uplift of small, micro, and large business communities across the country.
The SAPM emphasized that all policies and efforts of the Ministry of Industries & Production are focused on resolving business challenges and strengthening the national economy.
He highlighted that new railway corridors connecting Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Pakistan will bring significant benefits to businesses in KP.
Improved regional connectivity, he added, will also help address challenges related to security, infrastructure, and underdevelopment.
He noted that the upcoming National Industrial Policy includes comprehensive solutions to taxation issues and the broader concerns of the business community.
Haroon directed all stakeholders to submit concrete proposals for resolving their issues and formally included the Sarhad Chamber as part of various government committees.
The meeting was also attended by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production, the CEO of the Engineering Development Board, the acting CEO of SMEDA, and representatives of the Drug Regulatory Authority.
The SCCI delegation highlighted that Peshawar holds tremendous potential in sectors such as gemstones, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging industries. However, they noted that inadequate product finishing facilities and a lack of infrastructure are hindering the city’s export capabilities.
The Chamber informed the SAPM that although the approval for the Peshawar Expo Centre was nearing completion, the project has suffered delays and requires urgent government intervention. They further stressed that high taxation, rising utility costs, and inadequate facilities have pushed SMEs in Peshawar to the brink of collapse.
The chamber also raised concerns that security challenges in KP have dealt a severe blow to business activity in the region. Additionally, they highlighted that commercial banks are not providing the State Bank’s SME financing schemes in KP, and urged the government to intervene.
At the end, the chamber president appreciated the efforts of the Prime Minister and SAPM for promoting industrial growth in the country.
