24 January 2004	Saturday	01 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Jan 23: Industrialization should be focussed in rural areas, mainly agro-based industries, which is the only way to check increasing unemployment and reducing population influx into urban areas.

For this purpose, development of good infrastructure coupled with elimination of robbers and dacoits factor was required to encourage commercial and industrial activity there.

This was noted by Managing Committee members of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) who met here on Thursday at Federation House.

A member drew attention of the house to the disincentive to an investor in moving forward to interior of Sindh due to incidents of dacoities and robberies.FPCCI President Riaz Ahmed Tata assured the members that he would increase interaction with the government for redressal of this serious concern of the business community. Besides, he would make efforts for providing facilities and incentives helpful to promote commercial and industrial activity in rural and backward areas of the country.

The meeting also noted that like Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, other chambers mainly from rural areas should set up industries on self-assistance specially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to create maximum jobs. There is a great potential for agro-based industries, which should be worked on top priority, the members said.

It was also observed that the government alone cannot do much in reducing unemployment unless private sector comes forward. A member from Gilgit Chamber called for giving Northern Areas the status of an economic zone by the government where good infrastructure and maximum incentives are available.

The importance of the Northern Areas has increased specially due to its position as gateway to business with Central Asian States and China. He pointed out that unlike other areas of the country, toll (chungi) still existed in the Northern Areas. From Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 were being charged for a truckload with goods mostly coming from China.

He sought FPCCI help for promotion of trade and industry in the Northern Areas. A member from Mekran Chamber called for check on the smuggling of oil from Iran and intervention of FPCCI in Gwadar Port matters which include, what he claimed, the cancellation of plots allotted earlier to industrialists there.

A member from Sheikhupura Chamber sought FPCCI's help in revival and execution of Sheikhupura Dry Port, which has been turned down as a unfeasible and unviable project. He claimed that the project had been approved by the government some two years back.

Other items on the meeting's agenda were the approval of annual audited accounts of the FPCCI, resolving taxation problems of business community, implementing ways and means for reducing unemployment and reorganizing of standing committees of the FPCCI.-APP