LAHORE: A four-member delegation of Trade Related Technical Assistance-II Program on Wednesday called on the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Ijaz A. Mumtaz and discussed in detail the business atmosphere in Pakistan.
The team comprising Chief Technical Advisor of TRTA II Bruno Valanzuolo and International Expert of TRTA-II Program Dr Simon White remained with the LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz for more than an hour.
The LCCI president informed the visiting team that taxation system in Pakistan needs overhauling.
Both sides agreed to play their respective role to remove the hitches coming in the way of smooth running of businesses in Pakistan.
Ijaz A. Mumtaz appreciated the initiative taken by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for regularly sending experts to Pakistan under Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA II) Program.
He apprised the representatives of private sector keep eye on different rankings issued by international organizations that depict the variation in the performance of Pakistan economy.
The LCCI President said that it is a matter of concern that no significant improvement in the ranking of Pakistan in the World Bank’s Cost of Doing Business Report in which Pakistan was ranked at 110th place out of 189 countries in 2014.
He said that the meta-analysis conducted by TRTA II has rightly pointed out its reasons like shortage of energy.
He suggested that the role of private sector must be recommended in the development and implementation of any plan.
“Pakistan has got almost everything required to emerge as a self-reliant and responsible state”, Ijaz A. Mumtaz said.
He said that Pakistan needs long term plans to be executed on a consistent basis with a dedicated team of individuals who work in the best interest of the country.
The LCCI President said that it is high time that we have to set our priorities right and utilize all our resources to achieve economic prosperity and maintain peace. He said that it is needless to mention that we have to work together to bring some improvement in the current state of affairs.
He said that Private sector is reckoned as an engine of growth. We are fully aware of our duties and responsibilities. Over the period of time, government has realized the importance of private sector but we are still offered very little role to play in the affairs of Public Sector Enterprises.
Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that at present a number of public organizations both at federal and provincial levels are benefitting from the experience of leading businessmen which include BOI, TDAP, PBIT and TEVTA etc.
He said that this model should be followed in other departments as well. I think merit-based system run with complete fairness can lay the solid foundation for improving business environment of Pakistan.
He said that there is no doubt that unvarying assistance from UNIDO in the form of TRTA II program can help us achieve the desired results in best possible manner.
Earlier, Bruno Valanzuolo asked a number of questions about the LCCI Mediation Centre.
