LCCI hails relief package

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday welcomed the relief package of Rs125 billion for small industries and daily workers, amid COVID-19 lockdown, a statement said.

LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar and Vice President Mian Zahid Jawaid Ahmad said that the relief package would help small traders and workers combat with the challenges posed by the lockdown due to the coronavirus.

They appreciated the federal government’s decision to pay power bills of small businesses across the country for the month of May, June and July benefiting nearly 3.5 million shopkeepers across the country.

The government would have to take some additional measures to address the grievances of small businesses, they said, adding that the interest payments of the small businesses should be deferred for a period of six months.

They also advocated supportive measures for the shopkeepers across the country such as reducing their rent for the next six months.