Lahore, Sialkot chambers to collaborate in trade promotion

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Saturday agreed to make joint efforts for the promotion of trade and industry.

The decision was made at a meeting held between LCCI acting president Amjad Ali Jawa, vice president Nasir Hameed Khan and the delegation of Sialkot CCI led by Zaeem Rana, SCCI executive committee member.

Other members of the delegation Ijaz Ghouri, Muhammad Akhtar and Aashir Elahi also spoke on the occasion.It was also agreed that the two chambers would evolve a unified strategy on the issues of common interests. The two chambers would share and exchange all trade-related data for increasing the competitiveness of goods and reducing the cost of doing business.

The LCCI and Sialkot chambers would cooperate in preparation of proposals for the economic development of the country and also conduct joint research studies to develop industries in these cities.

Jawa said that the two chambers would forward joint proposals to the federal government for the budget.

The efforts would also be made for attracting investment for reconstruction opportunities zones. He said harmony between the two chambers would help resolve the problems being faced by the business community in the country.

Khan said the Lahore Chamber had already signed memorandums of understanding with the chambers of Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Sargodha and Sarhad.

Head of the delegation Raza said collaboration between Sialkot and Lahore chambers would go a long way in resolving the issues being faced by the business community.

There is a dire need to boost Pakistan's exports, he said, adding that the refund and dutydrawback issues should be resolved at the earliest.  The two chambers would also work together for the SME sector, he added.