Imran Zakir
KARACHI: Leader of Businessmen Panel, Mian Anjum Nisar has congratulated all the BMP candidates for the 3rd Consecutive historic victory in the elections of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) for 2022.
He said that the Businessmen Panel (BMP) has clinched the victory in the annual elections of the country’s apex trade body, retaining almost all the main seats for third year in a row through a tough battle with the United Business Group (UBG).
He congratulated Irfan Iqbal Sheikh for his election as FPCCI president, who bagged 189 votes whereas his opponent UBG got just 159 vote, having margin of 30 votes.
He said that BMP victory with thumping majority clearly reflects the confidence of business community in judicious policies being followed by this group leadership. He hoped that the BMP would now push the government to initiate long-term economic planning for the betterment of business community of Pakistan, as they have the ability to change the fate of Pakistan and transform it into a prosperous country.
He said out of total 11 vice presidents’ seats, BMP got 7 while UBG bagged only 4 seats. The newly-elected president Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that credit of historic success goes to the top leadership of the group who worked day and night with voters.
Iqbal sheikh hoped that FPCCI elected body members will take up the issues, being faced by the business community, with the government.
Our leadership will accord top importance to the prompt solution to collective problems and issues being confronted by the business community and we deserve appreciation for becoming part of a democratic process and also for ensuring a good atmosphere for the elections of FPCCI.
He suggested that FPCCI should be strengthened to enhance the role of the private sector in the country’s economic development.
Agencies add: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has said that exploring new markets for trade diversification through modern tools is essential to increase the country’s exports.
In a statement issued on Sunday, FPCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said the country’s economy will not improve without re-establishing trade ties with emerging markets, including Russia, Central Asian region, Africa, Turkey, South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and regional trade integration, .
He said that the country’s exports can go beyond their potential by focusing on the following sectors including textile value addition, export in information technology (IT), alternative energy, housing, halal food, tourism, agriculture, gems and jewellery, and research and development. At present, 65 percent of Pakistan trade is with only 10 countries in which trade volume with regional and friendly countries is almost non-existent, he said.
Irfan said that acquisition of new markets, geographical, regional and countries trade diversification is essential to take our exports to the top. He said that Pakistan has a lot of potential in the field of Information Technology and in this sector, “we can increase our annual exports up to US$ 5 billion, while our current IT exports are US$2.5 billion.