RAWALPINDI: Director General Trade Organisation (DGTO) Asif Ghafoor has asserted that all the Chambers operating in the country could play an essential role in the rejuvenation of the national economy.
He declared this during discussions being held with Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Syed Ali Raza Saeed Shah on Friday. Vice President Dr Shimail Daud, former Presidents Sabir Hussain Butt, Asad Mashadi and Member executive committee Jamshed Malik were also present on the occasion.
Furthermore, he stated that the business community always played a pivotal role in the generation of economic activity within the country and the Directorate was admired for its efforts in this regard. Asif Ghafoor was critical of the suspension of Trade Ordinance by the apex court decision on the 18th amendment; he claimed that all trade associations had deep misgivings of the decision and its ramifications.
The DGTO was developing a new ordinance to overcome the business community’s apprehensions. “All chambers must be consulted before the final drafting any new ordinance”, he added. Speaking on the occasion President RCCI Syed Ali Raza Saeed Shah concurred with Asif Ghafoor’s assertions regarding the formulation a new trade ordinance.
He was dismayed that Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) was apparently reluctant to consult the chambers. He urged the DGTO to cultivate direct links with the chambers. He said that business community was in lockstep with government on its stance to promote the level of trade the country had with the outside world.
He further said that government has achieved the export target of $19 billion only through close coordination with the business community.
