RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan Thursday said as the federations of chambers of commerce in all the countries including India and Turkey are based in their capital cities hence, it is better to shift Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) to the capital city of Islamabad.

All the executive committees and general body members must shun conspiracies being hatched by unscrupulous elements and give go ahead to shifting the head office from Karachi to Islamabad in the FPCCI’s forthcoming general body meeting on 5th August 2020. Agha Shahab pointed out that Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) is based in the capital of city of New Delhi whereas Mumbai, being the port city, remains the hub of commercial and industrial activities. Similarly, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, a confederation of all local chambers of commerce, industry and maritime as well as commodity exchanges, is also based in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey while Istanbul is well-known for its bustling trade and economic activities.

“Keeping in view the examples of above cited countries, I can confidently claim that the ruling group at FPCCI has undoubtedly taken the wise decision to move FPCCI Head Office from Karachi to Islamabad which the Businessmen Group (BMG) and KCCI fully support”, Agha Shahab said while urging all BMGIANs and its supporters, who are either members of FPCCI’s Executive Committee or its General Body, to fully endorse this initiative at the next General Body Meeting so that this important institution could successfully be shifted to the federal capital which will definitely prove beneficial for the entire business & industrial community.

President KCCI stated that it is a very wise decision as Islamabad is the Federal Capital of the country and all the departments falling under the purview of the federal government are based in Islamabad therefore, it is very critical that FPCCI’s Head Office must also be based in Islamabad so that it could be in a much better position to efficiently advocate the issues being faced by business & industrial community and instantly get them resolved. Relocation of FPCCI’s Head Office in Islamabad would also prove economically viable for the institution as it will drastically cut down the travelling and lodging expenses, he added.

He was of the opinion that FPCCI’s presence in Islamabad would surely make it a vibrant institution by enabling it to always stay in touch with the federal government and all its departments including Prime Minister’s Office, President’s Office, Offices of all the Ministries such as the Finance & Revenue, Commerce & Textiles, Industry & Production, Energy etc. as well which is in the larger interest of the country as it would help in getting numerous issues instantly resolved.

Agha Shahab was of the opinion that FPCCI is the apex body of Pakistan and its prime responsibility is to have strong linkages with the federal government so that economic policies could be extensively discussed after taking inputs and suggestions from all the Chambers and Associations, who are FPCCI’s members.