Lahore, October 16, 2018 (PPI-OT): The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Institute of Business and Management (IB and M), UET to make joint efforts for the cause of trade, industry and academia. The LCCI Senior Vice President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir and Dean/Director of IB and M, UET Dr. Ghulam Abbas Anjum signed the MOU on behalf of their respective organizations.

The LCCI Vice President Fahim ur Rehman Sehgal and Executive Committee Members were also present on the occasion. This agreement is continuity of the LCCI endeavours aimed at filling the communication gap between the industry and academia. The MOU will enable both the institutions to share their knowledge and experience for mutual benefits. It was also agreed that both the sides will conduct joint seminars and workshops on common issues.

According to MOU, LCCI and IB and M will exchange information on reciprocal basis regarding activities. The LCCI will establish regular interface with IB and M to share information of mutual interest. Both organizations will collaborate and undertake joint research/industrial projects with mutual consent. The LCCI will engage different faculty members of IB and M at different times, as the need be, for the expert opinion and advice from time to time.

The LCCI Senior Vice President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir said that linking academia with the business needs is a crucial step which should remain at the forefront to motivate both the sides and enhance their skills. He said that the MOU with Institute of Business and Management (IB and M) UET will pave way for the progress and prosperity of the country. He said that the LCCI would make best use of this facility as a number of economic challenges have direct link with the unavailability of correct data. He said that it would not only further strengthen University-Industry collaboration but it would also help researchers to have access to the real challenges being encountered by the trade and Industry.

Khawaja Shahzad Nasir said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has already signed a number of MOUs with the educational institutions and this agreement will also go a long way for the promotion of regional trade that is buzz word in today’s global village. Dr. Ghulam Abbas Anjum thanked the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and assured of his full support for the cause of promotion of research and development culture in the country.

For more information, contact:
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-222-499
Fax: +92-42-36368854
Website: www.lcci.org.pk

Lahore, September 07, 2018 (PPI-OT): Rule of law plays a leading role in economic development of the country and Punjab Safe Cities Authority is diligently working day in and day out for maintaining law and order. It was crux of a presentation given by SSP and Chief Operating Officer of Punjab Safe Cities Authority Akbar Nasir Khan to the LCCI members at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday. The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid, Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Executive Committee member Tahir Manzoor, Nasir Hameed Khan also spoke on the occasion.

Akbar Nasir Khan said that Punjab Safe Cities Project envisions safe, peaceful and prosperous cities of the province. The benefits this project holds include improved services delivery, traffic management, monitoring of law and order, electronic evidence collection, crime reduction, secure communication, and accountability.

It was told that the Safe Cities Project is a concept for returning security and quality of life to today’s complex cities through the use of technology, infrastructure, personnel and processes. The Punjab Safe Cities Authority was established under the Punjab Safe Cities Ordinance 2015 and it is ensuring establishment, development and maintenance of an integrated command, control and communication system for Police in major cities of the province for public safety.

PSCA stats for performance review for August 2018 revealed that 420,428 calls received at 15 helpline; 46,503 cases generated, 31,543, found 4 persons, 3 vehicle, 129 bikes, 7 auto-rickshaws, more than 207 electronic evidence data requests served, more than 83 booked for felonies, 141 suspicious persons and 2,516 vehicles screened, 33 rallies monitored etc. and recorded 9,552,778 violations of traffic laws.

The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said that economy and law and order are linked with each other. Bad law and order situation pressurizes the economy and shatters the confidence of local and foreign investors. He said that the project of Punjab Safe City was the need of the hour and LCCI truly appreciates that initiative taken by the previous government. He said that business community is aware of the challenges being faced by the Police Department but due commitment and professionalism can surpass any kind of adversities. On introducing Dolphin Force, the vigilance has been improved but street crime has yet to be controlled.

Malik Tahir Javaid said that Punjab is reckoned as much safer and better province in comparison to other provinces of the country due to better performance of Punjab Police but continuation of street crimes is a matter of concern. He suggested that seminars should be organized in collaboration with Police Department to make the members of business community aware of different kind of security threats and prepare them as to how they may combat with any unforeseen situation.

For more information, contact:
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-222-499
Fax: +92-42-36368854
Website: www.lcci.org.pk

Karachi, August 27, 2018 (PPI-OT): The President, Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Yakoob Karim has demanded of the newly formed government to immediately focus on major economic issues including boosting exports to bring precious foreign exchange, announcement and implementation of an effective industrial policy. In a statement he said that putting the economy back on track, Prime Minister Imran Khan would get rid of many in-house problems and can focus on other major national issues.

He said that the new premier has promised wide-ranging reforms, safeguard Pakistan’s resources and redistribute them from the rich to the disadvantaged which is laudable. Yakoob said that the PM has promised that instead of trying to rebuild the economy via external loans, his government will try and fulfil its needs from within as no country can succeed by begging all the time.

Measures to cut down on expenses, tax reforms instead of loans, eradication of poverty, motivating overseas Pakistanis, rooting out corruption, revamping the judiciary, applying the KP police model in Punjab, educational, healthcare and civil service reforms, and building dams should also be the priorities by Imran and he must start implementing now in order to shut up enemies.

He also lauded the decision of PM Khan regarding devolution of power and plan to provide jobs to youth, a new housing project and a boost to the industrial sector. He said the government should cut indirect taxes, strengthen institutions, reduce trade deficit with China and bring back the stolen funds as soon as possible which will discourage corruption in future. He said that all the chambers, FPCCI and trade bodies have offered unconditional support to the agenda of the new government.

Karim lauded the decision of PM Khan regarding devolution of power and plan to provide jobs to youth, a new housing project and a boost to the industrial sector. Karim said retail sector should be taxed, expats should be encouraged to send money through banking channels by offering relaxations, state-run corporations should be sold, FBR and other institutions should be monitored, and diplomats should be given export targets.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Officer,
Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
Ground Floor, Lieda Office Building, Hub Distt., Lasbela
Tel: +92-85-3303410, +92-85-3304461
Fax: +92-85-3302431
Cell: +92-85-300-2023448
Email: farhanprolcci@yahoo.com, info@lasbelachamber.com
Website: www.lasbelachamber.com

Lahore, August 16, 2018 (PPI-OT): First-ever three-day “Suppliers and Vendors Defence Exhibition” (SAVDEX 2018). Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee inaugurated the exhibition in the presence of Maj Gen Ahmad Mahmood Hayat, HI (M), DG DEPO, LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid, Brig. Waheed Imtiaz, LCCI Senior Vice President LCCI Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeeshan Khalil, Commodore Tariq Mahmood, Commodore Tahir, former presidents, Executive Committee Members and people from different parts of the world.

SAVDEX-2018 has brought together international and domestic manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to explore the opportunities for cooperation in the field of defence production. SAVDEX-2018 has also brainstorming session on “Pakistan Defence Industry, Export potential, Challenges and Prospects” in its fold.

During his inaugural address, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee said private sector can play an increasingly more significant role in pursuit of promotion of defence exports. The Armed Forces will encourage and support the private sector to come forwards; and together with the public sector defence industries enhance production and exports.

While addressing the seminar the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committees emphasized that by optimizing our defence production and export, Pakistan can capture a large share of the international defense market. In order to achieve this objective, it is vital to integrate public-private defence industry to achieve optimal results. New ideas, entrepreneurship, and management skills mastered by private sector need to be coped with the existing public sector defence industry for adding more efficiency as well as volume to our defence production and exports; significantly contributing towards our economy.

Earlier Maj Gen Ahmad Mahmood Hayat, HI (M), DG DEPO during his welcome address thanked Ministry of Defence production, Joint Staff Headquarters, Armed Forces of Pakistan, Public-private suppliers and vendors, LCC and I and SPDI for their vivid support in successful conduct of SAVDEX and Defence Industry Seminar.

President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malik Tahir Javed said that today is another memorable day in the history of Lahore Chamber. He said that we are grateful to the management of Defence Export Promotion Organization for collaborating with us for holding SAVDEX 2018 in Expo Center, Lahore. It validates the exclusive class and value of Lahore Chamber and at the same time, it has given a new challenge to stretch our limits to achieve even greater goals for our country.

He said that LCCI is fully determined to play its due role by way of making SAVDEX a milestone in the pursuit of mutually increasing the defence production of Pakistan. He further said that it is a matter of great encouragement for us that private sector has been trusted to get engaged with certain public sector organizations which are related to defence sector. It is an urgent need of the hour that Pakistan must increase the share of defence exports in order to fill the gap created by unfavourable balance of trade.

President LCCI said that we attach a lot of hopes with SAVDEX and expect that this event will begin a new of era of public private partnership in Pakistan. The members of business community are really eager to join hands with public sector organization. He said that it is the right time to emphasize on exploiting the actual potential of local resources and achieving unprecedented results through indigenization. LCCI President assured that Lahore Chamber will continue to extend its full cooperation in this regard in future as well.

For more information, contact:
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-222-499
Fax: +92-42-36368854
Website: www.lcci.org.pk

Lahore, August 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called economic plans with the stakeholders that would help financial managers to evolve an aggressive policy to cope with the challenges. The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said that Pakistan would have to be economically strong to stand tall in the influential economies and to handle the all sorts of international pressures.

He said that sharing of economic plan with the stakeholders would be good for both public and private sectors. He said that Pakistan is abundant with vast resources and does not need any external financial help therefore upcoming government should tap the resources instead looking towards the international financial institutions.

Malik Tahir Javaid said that these are the economic weaknesses which give rooms to external powers to interfere in our internal matters. He said that highest circular debt, trade deficit, discouraging exports, high ratio of debts, rupee devaluation, water shortage and miseries of agriculture sector have led to stagnant growth in Pakistan. He said that new government must have to address these issues through good economic reforms and consultation with the stakeholders. He said that Pakistan has all resources to become an economic giant but only need is to set directions with zeal, courage and sincerity.

The LCCI President said Pakistan’s huge mineral resources can help get rid of the economic ills, particularly external debts of over $ 90 billion, within next five years. He said that country has one of the largest reserves of gold and copper and coal in the world. According to a rough estimate, value of coal reserves in Pakistan is 187 times more than the GDP of Pakistan and only 2% of Pakistani coal reserves can generate 20,000 MW of electricity for almost 50 years.

In addition to gold, copper and coal, the country has vast reserves of precious stones, gypsum, salt and marble but instead of taking full advantage of these God-gifted resources most of the share being exported in raw form. He said that these resources must be used by the state instead of giving contracts to the foreign companies for extraction. He also called for new technologies and training of human resources for the mining sectors.

While strongly supporting the Kalabagh dam, the LCCI President said that this mega project should not be sacrificed to the political wills as it has to play a major role in economic uplift of the country. He said that most of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) are strangling the national exchequer by eating up around Rs.600 billion annually. Wastage of this hard-earned money of the taxpayers is a sheer injustice. He said that these PSEs should be turned into profitable by strict reforms.

Malik Tahir Javaid said that market and products diversification is the best method to boost the exports. They said that Pakistani exports always remained dependent on a few items and countries. United States, China, Afghanistan, United Kingdom and Germany are top five trading partners of Pakistan while various lucrative destinations are still untouched. He said that Pakistani missions abroad should be given task to find out new destinations for Pakistan products. Government should also facilitate export-oriented industries by resolving their genuine issues like delay in refunds etc.

Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rasheed and Vice President Zeeshan Khalil said that keeping in view the fast changing global scenario and challenges for Pakistan; upcoming government would have to ensure economic planning and its implementation in true sense of word for self-reliance and to avert any serious challenge to the national sovereignty.

For more information, contact:
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-222-499
Fax: +92-42-36368854
Website: www.lcci.org.pk