LCCI for granting industry status to packaging & corrugated sector

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Monday demanded of the government to grand industry status to packaging and corrugated sector. “The business community should also be taken on board in trade and industry related policy making and should be given due representation in the government bodies.”

These demands were raised by the LCCI President Kashif Anwar, Senior Vice President Chaudhry Zafar Mahmood and Vice President Adnan Khalid Butt while talking to the delegations of All Pakistan Corrugated Cartons Manufacturers Association led by Khawaja Imtiaz, Shahalam Market led by Talha Tayyab Butt, Anarkarli led by Muhammad Arshad Khan, Camera Market led by Aurangzaib Aslam and Waseem Hassan from Ehsas for Life Foundation.

The delegation members of APCCMA said that the government should patronize the corrugated sector which is facing severe problems including shortage of raw material, hike in paper and utility prices.

They said that corrugated sector is providing employment to more than 1.5 million people besides being an important source of revenue for the government. They said that if the issues of this sector are not resolved, the jobs of millions will be on stake.

LCCI President said that the corrugated cartons manufacturing sector holds significant importance in all industries. The advent and widespread popularity of online business and e-commerce have increased the importance and value of the corrugated cartons sector. Corrugated cartons are the first choice for many product and service industry businesses due to their efficiency, durability, and dependability.

The LCCI office-bearers said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry will play its role to get the packaging/corrugated sector status of industry.

They said that the government should resolve all the issues of packaging sector as high utility price and repeated increases in paper prices are posing serious challenges for the businessmen attached with this sector.

The office-bearers of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that the utilities and raw materials should be provided to the industry on cheaper rates as high cost of doing business is one of the major obstacles being faced by this sector. The delegation members informed the LCCI office-bearers that production cost has to be reduced otherwise a number of factories would be forced to close down their operations.

The delegations of Shahalam Market, Anarkali and Camera market lauded efforts of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the wellbeing of the business community.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022