Country’s growth hinges on business community’s active role: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMBAAD( WNAM REPORT): Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said the business community is the real stakeholder of the country, therefore it has to come forward to play a leading role for its progress and prosperity. He added that businessmen and industrialists will be taken on board in each and every important decision making.
He said this while talking to a delegation of United Business Group comprising its Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari, former President FPCCI and Chairman UBG Balochistan, Engineer Daroo Khan Achakzai, former Vice President FPCCI Haji Jamal Din, Chairman Pakistan-Iran Business Council Asfandyar Mandokhel, SVP, Chaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Olus Yar Khan, founder and Executive member Chaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shafiq Kakar.
The Minister said that the incumbent government is focusing on the much needed connectivity by expanding the road and rail links with the regional as well as the neighboring countries for the enhancement of business and trade activities, highlighting that the first phase of the work on Karachi-Multan railway project will soon be commenced. He said that work on N-25 connecting Balochistan -Karachi will be completed soon.
He added that the government has to pay back $120 billion during next five years and the only way forward to do the same is the promotion of exports, adding that the matter of establishing a dry port and a warehouse at Chaman border will be deliberated with the relevant quarters.
On his part Engineer Daroo Khan Achakzai underlined the need for devising a business plan on urgent basis to enhance country’s exports to Central Asian States via Afghanistan adding that under the Integrated Transit Trade Management System ( ITTMS ) Chaman should be declared as Dry Port to facilitate the business community and for this purpose a comprehensive module should be worked out to accelerate the economic activities.
He also emphasized the necessity of construction of Export House at Chaman by developing a Special Economic Zones.
Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General United Business Group highlighted the significance of rail network for the cost effective transportation as compared to the road infrastructure for the growth of exports.
He also stressed the need for provision of necessary facilities to the business fraternity for ease of doing businesses and demanded abolishment of trade barriers with neighboring countries in the larger interest of the country.
Afandyar Mandokhel talked about the establishment of a joint market at Chaman border for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asian products. He also highlighted the significance of hilal meat export by establishing a Foot and Mouth Disease Free Zone for the enhancement of quality and quantity of country’s products.
Haji Jamal Din Achakzai said that establishment of a gateway at Zhob-Qambardin boarder will go a long way in the promotion of exports and business activities for all the stakeholders. He also mentioned the benefits of establishing industrial zones for the economic betterment of the country as well as the business community.
Olus yar Khan, highlighting the significance of border trade through connectivity with regional countries demanded maximum facilities for the purpose to achieve the objective.
Shafiq Kakar demanded the early completion of Chaman-Spin Boldaq railway track and establishment of warehouses to discover more and more business opportunities.