FPCCI and GIZ Pakistan launch responsible business helpdesk

KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and GIZ Pakistan have formalized their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create the responsible business helpdesk (RBH) at FPCCI.

The MoU was signed by Acting President of the FPCCI Saquib Fayyaz Magoon and Country Director of GIZ Pakistan Maria Jose Poddey in the presence of Federal Minister for Commerce of Pakistan Jam Kamal Khan and Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ) of Germany Svenja Schulze.

Magoon expressed appreciation for the steadfast support of Germany’s BMZ, acknowledging its significant role in advancing Pakistan’s economic growth. He noted that the RBH platform, backed by BMZ, is crucial for assisting Pakistan’s textile sector in complying with new EU regulations and ensuring that Pakistani exporters adhere to global standards of human and environmental responsibility.

Minister Jam Kamal emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to adopting international best practices and human rights standards to foster robust growth in Pakistani exports. He highlighted the increasing global emphasis on human rights within business practices, noting the importance of frameworks like the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, International Labor Organization Conventions, and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in ensuring companies uphold human rights.

Svenja Schulze outlined that the primary aim of the MoU is to set up an advisory centre within the Business Coordinating Council to guide companies on environmental due diligence and human rights issues.

The new helpdesk will focus on raising awareness, providing advisory services, offering training, and facilitating dialogue to enhance the implementation of human rights due diligence across supply chains in Pakistan, benefiting both large and small businesses.