PM to open SAARC CCI’s seminar on Economic Freedom

LAHORE : Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani will inaugurate SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SCCI) International seminar on Economic Freedom. Tariq Sayeed, President,SCCI will highlight the vision, objectives, SCCI’s activities and elaborate its role in promoting SAFTA. The business community pins high hopes on SAFTA to multiply intra-regional trade in South Asia in line with the growth of such trade in other blocs like ASEAN, EU and NAFTA.Recently, the services and investments have been included in the SAFTA negotiations which will have positive impact on the increase of intra-regional trade, investments and promotion of joint ventures in the region.
SCCI Chief also identified the constraints being faced by businessmen of the region while engaging in trade between the SAARC Countries. He will point out that among these constraints’ Visa for businessmen remains a major bottleneck.
Sayeed has conveyed his earnest appreciation for the efforts of the government and its economic initiatives taken to improve and stabilize the business confidence in the economy.
President FPCCI, Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh said that the energy sector is backbone of the Industry. He suggested that the the government must take initiatives to develop a mechanism to access surplus energy available with textile and sugar sector little less than the IPP rates which will further help to overcome the energy crisis in the country.
Iftikhar Ali Malik, a veteran trade leader and founder of Pak-US Business Council and VP SCCI will represent Pakistan.
He is of the view that agricultural sector is most important in the overall prosperity of the country especially when the country is facing the serious food shortage i.e. wheat and rice. He said it is high time to invest in the agriculture sector to increase yield to meet the country’s needs, he said.
Members of the SCCI executive committee from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka including SVP Mir Nasir Hossain, VP S.N.Agarwal, Nawaz Rajabadeen and other will also attend. Iftikhar Ali Malik will host a dinner in honour of SCCI delegates and other distinguished guest.
He said that seminar being arranged in collaboration with Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and supported by Friedrich Naumann Stiftung will be a stimulator in achieving business excellence in South Asia.