Imran Zakir
KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo while addressing his first Press briefing after assuming the charge of his office has shared his future roadmap.
He said that areas to be focused during the tenure include industrialization, agriculture, food security, restructuring of FPCCI, research and development, export enhancement, and support for the largely undocumented SME sector etc.
He said that tax authorities should take the apex trade body on board, and accommodate its input in tax related policy formulation process. This would help achieve the annual revenue targets for the government, besides boosting the level of trust amongst the businessmen and industrialists on tax mechanism.
“If the FBR formulates policies with the consent of the federation, we would be able to raise at least 20% additional tax collection than this fiscal year’s target of Rs. 4,500 billion,” he said
In order to boost exports, he said the commercial counsellors of different countries would be approached to explore news export markets.
He said the 2nd phase of COVID-19 pandemic has forced many countries to impose lock downs, and mobility restrictions, however he hoped the impact of the 2nd wave would not be so lethal compared to the 1st one.
He also expressed grave concern and urged the Government Sui Southern and Sui Northern Gas Company to immediately restore gas supply with required pressure to overcome the supply and demand gap of energy that can ease our industrial Production.
During the question and answers session with the Media fraternity, he held the ministry of petroleum responsible for the gas crisis and failure to make timely imports of RLNG to mitigate the domestic demand. He also urged the Federal government to make timely decisions on import related affairs.
He boldly said that disconnection of Gas to industry and Captive Power Plants will seriously damage the growth in exports.
Newly elected Vice Presidents Athar Sultan Chawla, Muhammad Hanif Lakhany demanded the special amnesty scheme for all sectors, while Muhammad Arif Yousaf Jeewa emphasized on the importance of Textile sector that need immediate attention of policy makers to introduce business friendly policies to boost our exports.
Shaikh Sultan Rehman, former Vice President, was also present and played the role of moderator during the press briefing.
