RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: All the chambers in Punjab have reposed full confidence in the policies of the United Business Group (UBG) by electing one of its candidates Ch Arfan Yousaf for the slot of Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) unopposed from Punjab whereas other chambers across the country have also assured to support UBG candidates.

Talking to media here on Tuesday, Central Chairman United Business Group Iftikhar Ali Malik said the presidential candidate of rival group Haji Ghulam Ali has already been disqualified by Director General Trade Organization (DGTO) for contesting elections which, he added, paved the way for the smooth sail of UBG candidates in federation elections.

He said that UBG has fielded strong candidates enjoying the highest degree of integrity, coupled with spirit of devotion and service for the promotion of trade in the country.

He said our nationwide campaign has entered into final stage and we planned a special meeting of all voters and supporters in Karachi on Dec 28, to show UBG strength.

He said the support of the maximum chambers in the country shows that they are satisfied over the work of the UBG-backed FPCCI current president who had revamped the institution by ensuring merits in local and foreign exhibition through balloting process.

He said now good governance speaks in all affairs of the federation which he added is a hallmark of the UBG policies.

Malik said the UBG had an agenda of focusing specially on the small and women chambers in order to give respect to the small businessmen. The FPCCI policies would be framed too in accordance with the chambers consensus and the business community, he added.

He said the UBG leadership has worked hard and has restored the respect of business community with the government and have tried to solve most of the problems and will continue doing so in future as well.

He said recent simple example of the start of refunds of sales and rebate tax was a great achievement of UBG and FPCCI’s sitting President Zubair Tufail who worked very hard in this matter.

He said close working relationship between the government and the business community would not only solve issues faced by trade and industry but was vital to economic revival.

He said the FPCCI would convince the government to expedite work on new water reservoirs to overcome the water shortage.

“New reservoirs would not only be generating economical electricity but would also be meeting our irrigation needs and above all would be instrumental in controlling floods. We will attempt to convince the government to simultaneously start work on two to three reservoirs.”

Elaborating the agenda for the year, Iftikhar said that all efforts were made to get FPCCI proposals incorporated in the federal budget to provide solace to hard-hit traders. The proposals were always prepared in consultation with economic experts and business community leaders with an objective to ensure maximum allocations for various sectors of the economy.

Talking about the ongoing economic scenario, he said tightening of the belt was a must to wear off the intensity of economic challenges.