I am glad to learn that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry is organising Achievement Awards ceremony to honour the leading businessmen of Lahore who had outstandingly performed in their respective fields. The government has been endeavouring hard to provide enabling atmosphere to the private sector to step up business activity in the country--be it international trade or industry at home.
The future role of the government in the international trade is going to be a facilitator rather than a regulator. That is what, at least, my Government is aiming for. The government is, thus, making every effort to speed up industrialisation at home, mobilising the local and foreign investors. The special emphasis is being laid on the promotion of Pakistan's exports to reduce chronic trade deficit. Hence I have high hopes of attaining targeted higher GDP rate in coming years.
I congratulate Mr Shahzad Ali Malik, the President, Sheikh Mohammad Arshad, the Senior Vice President and Mr Sohail Azhar, the Vice President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, on organising such a prestigious event which speaks volumes for the quality leadership of LCCI and the gesture of remembering and giving the Awards to the business community is greatly the right step in the right direction. The Award winners also deserve special congratulation and appreciation. I wish them success in years to come.