SCCI chief suggests setup of modern truck terminal, food/edible items markets

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: President, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggested to provincial government and Khyber Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC) to establish a modern truck adda/terminal along with setting up markets of food/edible items markets in the name of the Pak-Afghan Market.

Besides, he asked for direct access of Ring Road and other link routes with the Torkham border and improvement of road infrastructure and communication system for smooth transportation of 40-feet long containers.

Fuad Ishaq made these proposals and remarks during the visit of Chief Executive of KPEZDMC Javed Khattak along with his team here at the chamber house here on Tuesday.

Chief Commercial Officer of KPEZDMC Adil Salahuddin and Chief Zones Management Officer Sahibzada Fakhr Alam and others were also accompanied by the CEO Javed Khattak.

Senior Vice President of the SCCI Sanaullah Khan, Vice President Ejaz Khan Afridi, former presidents Riaz Arshad, Malik Niaz Ahmad, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Haji Muhammad Afzal, Sherbaz Bilour, former vice president Haji Abdul Jalil Jan, executive committee members Haji Ghulam Hussain, S. Minhajuddin, Muhammad Ismail Safi, Hamza Ibrahim Butt, Qurtul Ain and Sadar Gul, Faiz Rasool, Ishtiaq Muhammad, Acting Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan, businessmen and manufacturers participated in large numbers were attended.

Fuad Ishaq while pointing out the problems faced by the manufacturers and hurdles in way of industrialization the province said that due to the distance from the port city Karachi, the traders and industrialists of the KP are already facing a lot of difficulties.

He said that the process of industrialization is being adversely affected owing to lack of smooth supply of electricity, gas and other facilities to the industries.

The SCCI chief said that it is a dilemma that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is producing surplus and low-cost electricity and gas, while the share of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the total oil production of Pakistan is 42 percent.

Apart from that, in spite of natural reserves, minerals and countless treasures, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is lagging behind in the race of development compared to other provinces, which is a matter of concern for the government and related institutions, Fuad Ishaq said.

He also expressed grave concern over the low water table in Peshawar and other parts of the province.

The chamber president emphasized that the provincial government, KPEZDMC and other relevant institutions should play their full role to ensure all the constitutional rights regarding gas, electricity and natural resources in the province.

Fuad Ishaq said that if the arrears in terms of hydel power generation and electricity are made possible in the province, there will be industrial development, economic and economic prosperity and improvement in the province.

He demanded practical steps to make it possible to obtain consent in easy installments for industrial development in the province.

Shah called for issuance of interest-free loans to youth for promoting entrepreneurship and business.

Furthermore, he demanded revival of Development Financial Institutions (DFIs), Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan (IDBP).

He also suggested allocating land for setting up modern markets, including settling new industrial settlements in barren and barren lands. He emphasized practical steps to resolve problems relating to various government institutions of the industrialists and business community through one window operation

Later, the former presidents of the SCCI addressed on occasion and gave several proposals regarding prompt resolution of the business community issues.

Javed Khattak agreed with SCCI president Fuad Ishaq proposals and other participants pertaining to industrialization in the province and assured to take proactive steps for addressing all issues.