‘Key issues of business community to be addressed on priority’

ICCI urges CDA to simplify its lease renewal process

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Capital Development Authority Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan on Saturday assured that he would help resolve the key issues faced by the business community to promote business activities in the country. He was addressing the local traders and industrialists during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), says a press release.

The SAPM said that availability of a conducive environment for businessmen contributed towards sustainable economic growth and said that the government was taking many initiatives to enhance the ease of doing business in the country. He appreciated the role of ICCI in promoting business interests of its members and assured his cooperation in resolving major issues of trade and industry.

Speaking at the occasion, ICCI President Muhammad Ahmed said that on a written proposal of the Chamber, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board four years ago had approved amendments in industrial building bylaws to meet the current needs of the industry, but due to unknown reasons, CDA has not issued any notification in regards to this matter due to which industrial sector was facing problems.

He said that industrial areas in sectors I-9 and I-10 of Islamabad were built about 40 years ago and building bylaws of that time were not corresponding with the needs of today's industry.

He said the ICCI proposal aimed to allow construction of multi-storey buildings on industrial plots, enhance their covered area, allow multi-trades on industrial plots and further increase in the height of buildings. The CDA Board approved the proposal but despite the passage of four years, did not notify ICCI. He urged that the SAPM play his role and issue said notification.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2019.