Trade bodies to form committees for facilitation

FCCI looks to improve business conditions through joint effort

FAISALABAD: As the list of grievances from the business community continues to expand, up to 22 leading trade bodies of Faisalabad have announced to form two separate committees in a bid to start negotiations with the government and various institutions for the facilitation of local export traders.

A joint declaration has made it clear that the traders, industrialists and exporters are united at the platform of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) and would continue their struggle for resolution of their immediate problems.

The declaration said that pressure will be mounted on the government to provide gas particularly to the value-added textile sector during the upcoming winter season as they have to fulfill their foreign commitments on Christmas and New Year’s orders.

The joint declaration also expressed concern that instead of decreasing the electricity prices additional burden have been added in the form of TR charges. The declaration claimed that it will further enhance the cost of doing business in Pakistan which is already very high as compared to the other regional countries.

Regarding taxation, the joint declaration demanded immediate withdrawal of withholding tax on bank transactions, in addition to withdrawal of black laws like 40-b and 38-b of Sales Tax Act.

Regarding export, members of the trade body demanded Rs200 billion be paid in refund claims that are pending for several years.

Addressing the trade leaders, FCCI President Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz said the business community has to be united for the expeditious resolution of their problems.

Nawaz said that different trade associations have different problems but they all fall within the ambit of trade and commerce and hence FCCI is the best forum to resolve these issues.

Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) President Asghar Ali appreciated the endeavour of the FCCI to invite all trade associations in order to forge unity among them. He said that the electricity tariff is increased in the garb of fuel adjustment charges. In addition, he condemned the announcement of complete close of gas supply to the industry in the upcoming winter season, adding that, “we have to make joint efforts to get minimum quota of gas during this period.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2015.

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