'In past, business community not given the attention it deserved'

Shibli Faraz assures businessmen of facilitation in trade activities

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz on Wednesday said the business community was the lifeline of Pakistan’s economy and current government’s key focus was on facilitating them in promoting trade activities.

Speaking to the business community after inaugurating the newly constructed auditorium at the Export Display Centre of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the minister said the contribution of business community to economic progress was unprecedented and unmatched.

In the past, the business community was not given the importance it deserved, the minister said, adding that he understood the problems and issues faced by businessmen and would extend all possible help for addressing the challenges. Faraz said the business community should identify opportunities of joint ventures in foreign countries and the government would facilitate them in that regard.

“Business community extended support to the government during the Covid-19 pandemic and the government is taking steps to protect them and ensure their dignity in society,” he said.

“Due to timely decisions taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan, economic activities have been restored in the country,” he remarked.

Faraz stressed that the government would support the ICCI in strengthening the industry-academia linkages and promoting entrepreneurship.

In his welcome address, ICCI President Muhammad Ahmed Waheed said the basic purpose of constructing the auditorium in the new ICCI building was to hold policy dialogue with federal ministers on the budget and other business-related policies.

He said the business community was the fourth pillar of the economy and a key stakeholder in economic development, therefore, the government should formulate economic policies in consultation with them, which would put the country on the path of sustainable economic growth.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2020.

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