Executive Members of the chamber, former presidents of chambers and prominent businessmen were also present in the meeting. Shinwari remarked that more concessions under FTAs to different countries are causing de-industrialization and rapidly declining businesses in the country. He added the imports are also increasing due to this practice.
In reply to a complaint about demand of quarantine by Plant Protection department ensuing in delay to transportation of export goods to Afghanistan, Pervaiz Malik said two officers each have been sent on emergency basis to Torkham and Chaman border posts for early clearance of goods loaded vehicles.
The minister also assured the owners of flour mills of taking up their case with Punjab government for the payment of rebate over export of wheat and flour to Afghanistan.
Recounting the achievements and pro-economic policies of the incumbent federal government, the minister said that the federal government had undertaken concrete measures for promotion of trade and commercial activities to bring economic boost in the country. He said the country's economy is gradually improving, while exports' volume has increased up to 14 to 15 percent. He further maintained that the economic growth of the country has reached to figure of 5.2 which is a good sign and reflects better performance of the government.
Pervaiz Malik has admitted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa business community had suffered huge economic losses due to country's ongoing war against terrorism and the province deserves to be provided fair opportunities for overcoming the damage. He assured the government will make consultations with business community before formulation of policies aimed at providing economic gains to the trading community of the KP.
"Revival of peace due to gains made in war against terrorism and drastic reduction in loadshedding of electricity and gas are helping in promotion of business activities in the country," he added. He also assured the SCCI members that instructions would be issued to TDAP (Trade Development Authority of Pakistan) to give due representation to businessmen of the KP in business delegations of the country.
Similarly, he continued, the KP would also be given proper representation in heading different companies formed by Ministry of Commerce and Industry for promotion of commercial opportunities in the country. Earlier, in his welcome address, President of SCCI, Zahidullah Shinwari urged the federal minister to take a review over imposition of regulatory duty on import of different items.
The imposition of regulatory duty has highly affected business with Afghanistan which has reduced to dollar 500 million from existing dollar 2.5 billion. He said the duty must be imposed on non-essential and luxury items while essential items including fresh and dry fruit and other items be exempted.
Shinwari also suggested the federal government to opt for Trade Diplomacy with Afghanistan by sending a delegation of businessmen to Afghanistan to talk with officials concerned for restoration of business with our neighbouring country.Similarly, he asked for extending economic concession package to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for allowing the businessmen to over the economic losses they faced because of the menace of terrorism.
The SCCI chief demanded diversification of items to which the government gives priority while formulating Trade Policy of the country. He said apart from Textile, surgical instruments, rice and others, the government should find new items to increase country's export.