Power crisis creates serious problems for exporters: SCCI

Newly-elected President of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Muhammad Naeem Qureshi said that all modes and channels would be mobilised to resolve the problems being confronted by the business community of this export-oriented and hub of cottage industry.
In an interview with Business Recorder on Saturday evening after assuming the charge, he said Sialkot is earning more than 1.25 billion US dollars annually through its exports and is strengthening national exchequer and local business community despite several problems and thus it is making its hectic efforts to enhance the export-volume.
Naeem Qureshi said that unscheduled electricity load shedding is not only hitting industrial sector adversely but also creating serious economic constrains for business community and for the industrial workers especially manpower working on daily wages. The current situation, he said, is also generating unemployment, street crimes and social problems in the society.
It is high time that government should take immediate steps for ensuring uninterrupted power supply enabling the manufacturers and exporters for ensuring smooth production activity, he said. The SCCI President said that under the prevailing situation of electricity the exporters and manufacturer are very upset because they are unable to complete their in-hand foreign orders within stipulated period. If the situation remained the same then Pakistan will lose its grip on international market and it will be hard punch to national economy he said.
Naeem stressed upon the government and related high-ups that immediate steps should be taken for resolving the energy crisis for the survival of industrial sector of the country. The industrial sector has been earning handsome foreign exchange and strengthening the national exchequer and providing employment opportunities to thousands of skilled and semi-skilled industrial force, he said.
Basically, he said, industrial sector is serving as backbone of the economy and at this juncture government should focus on resolving the electricity crisis for protecting the industrial sector from total collapse, he added. Naeem hoped that government will realise the gravity of the problems and take appropriate steps for ensuring uninterrupted electricity to the industrial sector to keep the production wheel in full motion.