KARACHI: Being the apex body of trade and industry of Pakistan, FPCCI is always available to address the issues faced by the business community, said Sheikh Sultan Rehman, vice president of the FPCCI, during the “Open House” discussion on matters related to business, trade and industry organized at the Federation House.

Sheikh Sultan Rehman said that on the instructions of Mian Anjum Nisar, president of the FPCCI, for the very first time FPCCI has taken the initiative to hold series of “Open House” discussions on the third Saturday of every month and invited the business community to utilize this platform for effective networking and addressing the issues.

The purpose of these “Open House” sessions is to discuss any matter related to trade and industry and is not confined to any one topic which is usually the case with other programs.

During the discussion, Naseer Hyatt Magoon said that it is time that small and medium business owners maintained documentation to avail financing schemes from SBP.

Amjad Rafi emphasized the involvement of FPCCI and business community in important decision making processes.

Iftikhar Vohra talked about issues of detention and demurrage faced by the importers while Shabana Asif highlighted issues faced by the exporters and women entrepreneurs during the lockdown and demanded of government to provide interest and collateral free loans to the women entrepreneurs.

Shujaat Ahmed offered research assistance to the business community which can be utilized in policymaking at government level.

Mahwash Syed said that the pandemic followed by rains and urban flooding has drastically damaged small businesses in the country which need utmost attention of government authorities. Abdul Rehman Khan appreciated FPCCI for its efforts to provide support and cooperation to the business community and said that government must provide zero-rated loans to the small traders. Shafaq Zainuddin addressed the non-cooperative attitude of commercial banks in provision of financing loans to women and small business owners.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020