Membership renewal, tenure extension: MoC notification takes trade bodies by surprise

In a surprise move, the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has extended the renewal of membership and tenure of office-bearers and executive committee members of trade bodies in the country. The notification, issued on July 4, was so sudden that even the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry''s President did not know about the extension.
He was found blank when approached by the Business Recorder for comments on this unusual step taken unilaterally by the MoC. Quarries made by this correspondent from various trade bodies to find out if the extension has been given on their request showed that none of them had approached the MoC for this change.
The announcement was sudden which has taken everybody by surprise. Even the office-bearers of the apex trade body ie, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) had not requested for any change in the schedule.
According to the MoC notification, the last date for the renewal of membership of the members of the existing trade organisations has been extended up to July 31. The renewal date earlier fixed was June 30. However, this extension is on one-time basis and shall be applicable to the membership year 2007-08. The renewal of membership for the subsequent years shall be required to be completed before March 31 every year as provided in Trade Organisations Rules 2007.
The tenure of office-bearers and members of executive/managing committees of all existing trade organisations, except Federation, has been extended till December 31. The office-bearers, elected under the first elections held under Trade Organisations Ordinance 2007, shall assume office on January 1, 2008 and their tenure shall expire on September 30.
Similarly the members of executive committee, elected under the first elections held under TOO 2007, shall assume the office on January 1, 2008 and their tenure shall expire on September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2009 in accordance with the provisions of Trade Organisations Rules.
Further in supper-session of Rule 16(1)(b) of Trade Organisation Rules 2007, the election schedule of an existing trade organisation shall be approved by the executive/managing committee and issued by the Secretary General in the first half of October 2007. All the remaining provisions of Rules 16 to 20 shall take effect accordingly.
The election result shall, therefore, be announced in the annual general meeting not later than December 31. This extension in re-adjustment of timeline for election is on one-time basis and for the subsequent years, the election timeline shall be the same as provided in relevant provisions of Trade Organisations Rules 2007, said the notification.