Peshawar: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad emphasized that good-governance is essential for promotion of trade and economic activities, saying that the bureaucracy has played a pivotal role in this regard.
Furthermore, he opined that close-relations and collaboration between business community and bureaucracy would help to implement reforms agenda and policies on a fast-track basis.
The SCCI chief noted the malpractices and mismanagement in governmental institutions and bodies have curtailed to some extent, which has paved the way for ease of doing business [EoDB].
Hasnain Khurshid was chairing a meeting during the visit of the 8th Mid-Career Management Course (MCMC-8) senior officials/officers of Kashmir Institute of Management (KIM), Muzaffarabad here at the chamber house on Tuesday.
The meeting thoroughly deliberated upon issues relating to government subordinate institutions and bodies, especially tax collection authorities, customs and border management.
Highlighting promotion of regional trade, Khurshid said that it is in dire need of hour to boost up bilateral trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics that would help to stabilize and strengthen national economy as well as create further employment avenues.
The SCCI chief urged the government to chamber and relevant stakeholders before finalization and signing of a fresh Afghan-Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA).
Hasnain Khurshid said that the bureaucracy has played an important role in retaining consistency in government policies and support in promotion of ‘good-governance’.
The SCCI chief continued to say that competence and honesty are a main element that can make it easier for enforcement of policies on a fast-track basis and gaining desirable objectives.
He added the better coordination and relations was a dire need of hour as both are concomitant to each other. He said the chamber is striving to promote close relations with bureaucracy to resolve business community issues at earliest.
‘God-gifted’ immense/rich mines and mineral deposits exist in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and have huge potential to make investment in mining, mineral, honey, hydel power generation, tourism and other important sectors in the province, the SCCI president said.
Khurshid expressed hope that the mid-career officers would play their integral role in economic development, prosperity and removal of hurdles in Ease of Doing Business [EoDB] and sustain relations with the business community for a longer period for enforcement of policies and resolution of the community issues.