Brig General Abdullahi Dadan Garba, the head 15-member strong delegation of National Defence College Nigeria, Friday called for sector-specific measures to increase bilateral relations between Pakistan and Nigeria as both the countries have a huge potential but very little trade and economic cooperation. Brig General Abdullahi Dadan Garba was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. LCCI Vice President Saeeda Nazar, LCCI former Executive Committee Members Rehmatullah Javaid, Mian Zahid Javaid and Dr Shahid Raza also spoke on the occasion. The head of the delegation said that the economy has become the most modern warfare gadget of the present day world and the only economically strong countries would have a role in coming days. While lauding the role being played by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in removing the bottlenecks in the way of promotion of business, he said that a lot has yet to be done for the economic well-being of the country and its people. Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI Vice President Saeeda Nazar said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry acts as a bridge between the Government and the business community.
It also tries to secure a business-friendly environment through sharing views with the government. The primary objective of LCCI is to protect the interests of the business community while remaining committed to the cause of development of trade and industry. While briefing the participants about the LCCI’s role in policy making, she said that the LCCI has sector specific Standing Committees. These committees collect private sector feedback, analyze and filter the same through subject experts. She said that after thorough debate that feedback is refined and after approval from Executive Committee is sent in the form of Budget Proposals to Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs for consideration at the time of preparation of the Federal Budget. She said that the LCCI also keeps liaison with Foreign missions commercial sections and an exchange of information ensured especially sector reports. She said that the Lahore Chamber while doing its routine functions keeps performing its due role in the promotion of international trade. It keeps on interacting with foreign trade missions and also with the Ambassadors or High Commissioners of various countries in order to develop good working relations. She said that the LCCI keenly pursue trade diplomacy by way of organizing single country exhibitions and also participating in international trade fairs to give boost to our exports. Similarly, business delegations are regularly exchanged which provide great opportunities for match making and strengthening the business relations across the borders. These efforts cause the much needed stimulus in economic activities which results in more employment generation and economic development. She said that the LCCI has two self-sustaining projects; Shalimar Hospital and LABARD on its credit. The Shalimar Hospital is providing modern health facilities to the common people while LABARD is not only acting as placement body for the disabled sections of the society but also provides relevant training to the young minds in an effort to rehabilitate them.
