Tackling economic challenges will put country on the right track: Memon

Legislator asks govt to switch to a productive job creation strategy.

KARACHI:

If challenges such as law and order, tax reforms, energy shortages, efficient governance and employment generation are tackled, the business climate will improve and take Pakistan in the right direction, according to MNA Marvi Memon.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Memon said that for this to happen, “the government needs to move from the ‘dole-out’ vote strategy to an intelligent ‘productive’ job-creating strategy before it is too late. The implementation of this strategy will raise hopes for millions of unemployed people.”

Memon was a participant in the recently concluded ‘3rd All Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conference’ held in Bhurban, organised by the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). At the conference, the Bhurban Declaration was signed by 31 chambers of commerce and industry of the country.

“I had taken time out for this conference simply because I thought it was an efficient way to get to the collective wisdom of our investors. An understanding of what was hampering business growth would enable me to help shape better policy for my people,” she said, providing an insight as a parliamentarian in an otherwise purely business conference.

Interestingly, how the socio-political climate affects businesses was apparent in the declaration signed this time, as businessmen moved away from issues such as concerns over representation of the business community in the government and budget proposals to concentrate more on law and order, energy sector reforms, privatisation of state-owned enterprises, etcetera.

Furthermore, topics such as water sector reforms were discussed for the first time, while the government was asked to develop an SME policy for women entrepreneurs. The declaration also called for anti-corruption initiatives and firm cross-border policies.

CIPE Project Manager Hammad Siddiqui informed that this year the conference had been far more successful than previous years. He stated that CIPE has played a main role in facilitating the chambers in getting together and its aim was to advocate policies and consequently bring reforms in the economy.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2011.