LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) and Chaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make joint efforts in ensuring a business-friendly atmosphere in the country.
President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mian Tariq Misbah and President of Chaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jalat Khan Achakzai signed the MoU on behalf of their respective Chambers. Senior Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan, Vice President Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry, former LCCI Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa, Executive Committee Members Sheikh Sajjad Afzal, Saleem Asghar Bhatti and Muhammad Ali Afzal also spoke on the occasion.
Both chambers agreed for evolving unified strategy on the issues of common interests and would share all trade-related data.
President Chaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jalat Khan said that Chaman is 2nd largest city of Baluchistan with population of around 12 million. He said that Chaman can be a trade hub and it is the shortest and cheapest route to Central Asian States which are still land locked and untapped. He said that we can improve our trade with western neighboring countries and Central Asian States by developing infrastructure and services at Chaman border.
He said that knowledge about each other’s needs would help boost trade with Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian States. The role of LCCI is important in attaining the objectives of improving volume bilateral trade and to increase investment opportunities at Chaman border.
He also informed that 1000 acres of land is notified for the development of Special Economic Zone at Chaman border and Joint Border Market at Chaman border to enhance the business activities. He said that investments, joint ventures and and partnerships are required to boost the economic and trade activities at Special Economic Zone at Chaman border and Joint Border Market.
He invited LCCI delegation to visit Chaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry to explore the investment opportunities in Chaman border area. He also intended to establish an institute for skill development of workers at Chaman.
LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah said that that strength of the private sector lies in unity therefore they should extend full support to each other on all economic issues and challenges. He said that the LCCI is taking a number of steps to educate its members on day-by-day international trade and economic scenario.
He said that other than performing its regular functions, Lahore Chamber is also providing various facilities to its members under one roof. LCCI Smart Services include one-stop solutions which consist of a number of help desks manned by federal and provincial organizations.
SMEDA, Excise & Taxation, LESCO, FBR, Labour Department, PESSI, PIA, National Bank, NPO, NADRA, Passport, Punjab Police and Federal Tax Ombudsman etc. are some of the key partners which are cooperating with LCCI in this connection.
The LCCI President hoped that other chambers would also follow Lahore Chambers footsteps and add more ways to facilitate their members. He said that process of interaction and consultation between both the chambers and the stakeholders should be continued.
On the occasion, issues of warehouse and export facilities at Chaman border and establishment of banking system to ensure smooth trade with Afghanistan also came under discussion.
