By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry has urged the federal government to include duty and tax relief measures for Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in the upcoming Federal Budget 2026-27, describing the move as vital for improving maternal and child health across Pakistan.
In a statement issued on Friday, Senior Vice President of the Lahore Chamber Tanveer A Sheikh strongly welcomed reports suggesting that the government is considering reducing duties and taxes on MMS products in the next federal budget.
He said Pakistan continues to face serious health challenges related to malnutrition, anemia and micronutrient deficiencies, particularly among women and children. According to him, these health issues not only affect families and communities but also create long-term economic consequences by reducing productivity and increasing healthcare burdens.
Tanveer A Sheikh said that affordable access to nutritional supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding is essential for protecting the health of mothers and newborns. He emphasized that millions of low-income families in Pakistan are unable to purchase such supplements due to rising healthcare and living costs.
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He noted that tax rationalization on MMS products would help facilitate imports, encourage local manufacturing and improve nationwide availability of these essential supplements. He added that lowering duties would make the products more accessible to vulnerable segments of society and support the country’s broader public health goals.
The LCCI senior vice president said the business community believes health and economic development are closely linked, adding that improving maternal and child nutrition can contribute significantly to human capital development and sustainable economic growth.
He also stressed the importance of public-private collaboration in addressing nutritional deficiencies and improving healthcare access in Pakistan. According to him, the government should adopt policies that encourage investment in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors while ensuring affordability for consumers.
Tanveer A Sheikh further stated that the proposed relief could also create opportunities for local pharmaceutical and healthcare industries to expand production capacities and introduce internationally recognized nutritional products into the domestic market.
He expressed hope that the federal government would consider the proposal positively while finalizing the Federal Budget 2026-27 and take practical measures to support maternal and child health initiatives.
The Lahore Chamber reiterated its commitment to supporting policies aimed at improving public welfare, strengthening healthcare access and promoting economic stability through sustainable development measures.
