29 February 2004	Sunday	08 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: The Exports Advisory Cell of the Ministry of Industries & Production (EAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Saturday on a joint venture programme.

Mr Adeel Rauf, President of SCCI, put his signature on the MoU on behalf of his organization, while Engineer Zahid Aziz represented the EAC, says a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, the SCCI President appreciated the EAC's initiative to develop linkages with the prospective investors.

The Chief of SCCI, Mr Aziz, while apprising the members of SCCI of the activities conducted by his organization, assured them that EAC would continue to play its facilitation role for the private sector.

In this connection, the EAC has established a Business Support Centre at Islamabad where one-desk facilitation services were provided to the potential investors and the members of business community.

The meeting ended with the two sides agreeing to jointly conduct research studies on the factors that hampered the industrial growth in NWFP. The results of these studies would subsequently be disseminated through seminars.

It was also agreed that Exports Advisory Cell, in collaboration with Industrial and Trade Advisory Cell of SCCI, would organize training programmes for the business community to foster awareness on quality standards and the impact of World Trade Organization regulations.