The Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz has said that the government is focussing on good governance and political stability to create business and investment-friendly atmosphere. He stated this, while talking to a 16-member LCCI delegation at Prime Minister House, says a spokesman of the LCCI here on Wednesday. LCCI President Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman led the delegation. Other members of the delegation were SVP Sohail Lashari, VP Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, former FPCCI president Iftikhar Ali Malik, former LCCI chief Sheikh Muhammad Asif and members of the executive committee of the chamber.

Various important issues being faced by the business community were taken up during the meeting, which continued for well over an hour. The Prime Minister assured the delegation of his full co-operation in early solution of all the issues.

Shaukat said that there was a need to make Pakistan a business-friendly state and added that he wished businessmen in Pakistan had all the facilities and a good environment. He averred that the globalisation has posed new challenges and complexities to the business community and to cope with these challenges, the government is doing all what it can and would continue its endeavours at national, regional and international levels.

He said that he has directed the concerned ministry to give due weightage to the proposals of all the chambers while preparing forthcoming federal budget. He asked the chambers of commerce and industry (CCI) to send all its proposals to the finance ministry.

He was of the view that establishment of industrial estates in various parts of the country is enough to prove sincerity of the government towards the well being of business community and creation of business-friendly atmosphere in the country. He urged the delegation members to help the government in putting the economy on right track, as no country could move forward without the co-operation of business community.

The LCCI Chief, Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman, on this occasion presented a cheque of Rs 10 million to the Prime Minister for tsunami and snow/rain affected people of the country.

While lauding the efforts of Prime Minister towards betterment of the business community, he said that the present government has realised the importance of business community and is taking all necessary measures for redressal of their genuine concerns.

He stressed the need for expediting the process of industrialisation in the country, as it is the only way to cope with poverty and the problem of unemployment. Appreciating the Prime Minister for signing free trade agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka, he called for signing such agreements with other countries in the larger interest of Pakistan's economy.

Sohail Lashari and Sheikh Muhammad Arshad also lauded the efforts of Prime Minister for the economic revival of the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005