FPCCI inks MoU with PICI&SDD, PITB to boost trade, investment

LAHORE: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Punjab Industries, Commerce, Investment & Skill Development Department, (PICI&SDD) and Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to facilitate the business community and promote industrial development, trade and investment in the province.
Under the MoU, the FPCCI, Industries Department and PITB have agreed to establish close cooperation to facilitate ease of doing business and advancing facilitation of trade and industry. The MoU was inked by FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar, Industries Department Director General Rana Abdul Shukoor and PITB Chairman Azfar Manzoor on behalf of their respective organizations. The MoU was inked in order to facilitate the business community and spread awareness regarding government business initiatives.
Under the agreement, the Punjab Information Technology Board will establish facilitation desks for traders and businessmen at 26 chambers across Punjab while the FPCCI will ensure coordination with all the chambers across Punjab for the establishment of these desk at their office premises, besides ensuring deployment of a trained human resource by the respective chamber at the established desk.
FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar, addressing the signing ceremony, said that the FPCCI, ICI&SDD and PITB will cooperate in identifying and augmenting potential areas of mutual cooperation for improving business rankings, besides jointly arranging seminars and conferences regarding ease of doing business.
Mian Anjum Nisar said that they will ensure participation in advisory councils, committees and consultancy services regarding Ease of Doing Business. The apex body and government departments will also jointly initiate the R&D initiatives relevant to EODB and other technology development and research areas, he added.
He said that under the MoU, the PITB will take the responsibility of procurement of furniture and IT equipment under the approved project “Improvement to the Arrangement for Starting a Business (Phase-II)” required for establishment of facilitation desks. The PITB will also train nominated human resources by the chambers for initiatives regarding Ease of Doing Business, besides facilitating an awareness session, he added.
FPCCI President said that the MoU is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two organizations to work together for the trade and investment friendly atmosphere in the country. He asked the government to devise a comprehensive reforms program, where the private sector should be given the primary role as they are the main employers and beneficiaries of the workforce in the country. He added that abundant availability of human resources, flexible labour laws, and availability of raw material make Pakistan the best place for investment. – TLTP