By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ali Hussam Asghar has emphasised the need for export-led growth, saying Pakistan can strengthen its economy by improving the business environment, removing unnecessary regulatory hurdles and addressing industrialists’ concerns.
He expressed these views while addressing a delegation of industrialists from Ferozepur Road at the LCCI. Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani, Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain and delegation leader Adeeb Iqbal Sheikh also spoke at the meeting.
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Former LCCI vice presidents Faisal Iqbal Sheikh and Mian Zahid Javed, Executive Committee members Ali Raza and Muhammad Umar Abdullah, former Executive Committee member Chaudhry Aurangzeb and other business representatives attended the meeting.
Asghar said the chamber would approach relevant government departments to address the problems faced by industrialists in the Ferozepur Road area, improve business facilitation and eliminate unnecessary obstacles to industrial and commercial activities.
He assured the delegation that an ad hoc committee headed by Adeeb Iqbal Sheikh would be established to examine major industrial concerns and pursue their resolution on a priority basis.
The LCCI president also urged exporters to identify policies and regulations adversely affecting business activities, assuring them that the chamber would take up their concerns with the relevant authorities.
LCCI strengthens complaint resolution mechanism
Asghar said the LCCI had established a Complaint Cell to facilitate the timely resolution of grievances raised by its members.
According to him, the cell had been linked with the prime minister’s dashboard concerning economic ministries to improve the referral of business complaints to the relevant departments and make the resolution process more effective.
He added that the chamber was also pursuing the establishment of a Punjab government application through which investors could apply to establish factories and industrial units and obtain the necessary licences and approvals through a streamlined process.
The initiative, he said, was intended to simplify procedures for investors and facilitate the establishment of new industrial enterprises.
Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani assured the delegation of the chamber’s full cooperation, stressing that achieving economic development targets required confidence among industrialists and traders.
He said business representatives should be consulted when policies affecting their operations were formulated and implemented. He also emphasised that the dignity and respect of the business community should be protected.
Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain urged industrialists to provide details of their problems and suggest practical solutions so that the chamber could raise the issues with the relevant departments.
LCCI seeks balanced enforcement of regulations
The LCCI president said the business community was not opposed to improved laws and regulations, but their implementation should not damage industries or disrupt legitimate commercial activities.
He expressed concern over the registration of first information reports (FIRs) in matters involving businesses, arguing that criminal proceedings could adversely affect the business environment.
Asghar stressed that, where legally appropriate, financial penalties and corrective measures should be considered for violations that could be rectified, rather than resorting to criminal proceedings.
The position was presented as a call for proportionate enforcement and the resolution of disputes through appropriate legal and administrative procedures.
Industrialists raise concerns over WASA bills and infrastructure
Delegation leader Adeeb Iqbal Sheikh highlighted concerns regarding Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) bills, payment procedures and FIRs initiated by WASA, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and other departments.
He said industrialists were willing to pay genuine outstanding dues but wanted the relevant authorities to hear their concerns and resolve disputes through consultation and mutual understanding.
The delegation also highlighted problems involving damaged roads, inadequate drainage, sanitation and other essential infrastructure on Ferozepur Road.
Participants called for timely intervention by the relevant authorities to improve infrastructure and create better conditions for industrial and commercial activities in the area.
Calls for financial support for cleaner technology
Asghar also proposed providing small industrialists with loans on easy terms or interest-free financing to help them replace or upgrade boilers and other machinery with environmentally friendly alternatives.
He said financial assistance could help smaller businesses adopt cleaner technologies without placing an excessive burden on their operations.
The proposal comes amid the need to balance industrial development with environmental considerations and the financial constraints faced by smaller enterprises.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on closer coordination between the business community, the LCCI and government departments to address industrial concerns, improve the regulatory environment and support export-oriented economic growth.
The chamber reiterated its commitment to raising members’ issues with the relevant authorities and pursuing practical solutions to facilitate business activity.
