ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has hosted a grand dinner to celebrate the victory of the United Business Group in the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) elections.
S.M.Munir Chief Executive TDAP and Patron-in-Chief of United Business Group (UBG), Iftikhar Ali Malik Chairman UBG, Mian Muhammad Adrees President FPCCI, Abdul Rauf Alam Chairman ICCI Founder Group & UBG North Zone, Vice Presidents FPCCI, Presidents Chambers of Commerce & Industry, high dignitaries and a large number of business community from across the country was present at the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, Mian Muhammad Adrees, FPCCI President said that Prime Minister of Pakistan has sought short, medium and long term proposals from PFCCI to improve the economy that would be sent to the government in consultation with chambers and trade bodies. He said businessmen have to pay tax to strengthen the economy and government should ensure transparent spending of tax money to improve the confidence of taxpayers. He said the performance of FPCCI remained below the desired level for the last 30 years whereas the newly elected UBG group has set clear goals to make FPCCI a vibrant trade body in the country to support the government for economic revival of Pakistan. He said it was not the business of government to run business entities and it should be in private hands. He said new leadership of FPCCI would maintain regular interaction with chambers and trade bodies to know about the issues and work for redress of the same. He said though the issues were in plenty, but resolved that the FPCCI would deliver up to the expectations of business community.
S.M.Munir, Chief Executive TDAP and Patron-in-Chief UBG said government should give businessmen enhanced role to improve the economy. He said loss making national entities should be privatized and handed over to private sector to make them commercial viable. He said government has taken many positive steps and passed law for military courts that will help in removing terrorism and establishing peace. He was optimistic that good times were ahead for Pakistan and assured that FPCCI would play effective role in addressing the key issues of business community.
Iftikhar Ali Malik, Chairman UBG said the Planning Commission was working on a 10 point agenda to improve the economy and businessmen should give their proposals for the said agenda in order to steer the country out of difficulties. He said young business leaders should be brought forward to take leading role in strengthening the economy.
Abdul Rauf Alam, Chairman Founder Group and Group Leader UBG lauded the role of S.M. Munir Patron-in-Chief and Iftikhar Ali Malik, Chairman United Business Group for introducing democratic culture in business politics and congratulated for big victory of UBG in FPCCI elections. He said the 74% increase in power tariffs for industry in August 2013 almost crippled the industry and government should avoid taking such harsh decisions. He said government should offer better incentives to investors and not ask any questions about the source of capital in order to promote investment. He said FPCCI has to work on war footing basis to deliver and stressed that government should adopt gradual approach to broaden tax base instead of putting more burden on existing taxpayers.
Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry in his welcome address congratulated the UBG for its landslide victory in FPCCI elections and hoped that the new leadership would change FPCCI into an effective apex trade body to serve the cause of business community and contribute in promoting the economy of Pakistan.
Senator Haseeb Khan, Senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour, S.M Naseer former SVP & Regional Chairman FPCCI, Mrs. Fehmeeda Kausar Jamali Vice President FPCCI from Quetta, Qazi Muhammad Akbar President Chakwal Chamber of Commerce, Sheikh Shabbir Group Leader Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce, Haji Naseer Group Leader Gujrat Chamber of Commerce, Riaz ud Din Sheikh Group Leader Sialkot Chamber of Commerce, Zahid Malik Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Observer Group also addressed the meeting.
