October 01, 2006	Sunday	Ramazan 7, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has appealed to the trader community to help the government in keeping prices under control and provide goods and services during Ramazan at affordable rates.

Talking to a delegation led by outgoing President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Abdul Rauf at the Prime Minister’s House on Saturday, Mr Aziz said the price magistrates should ensure that profiteering did not occur.

The prime minister said the government was working on a two-pronged strategy to keep the prices of essential commodities under control — ensuring the supply of the items in sufficient quantity and taking administrative steps to check hoarding and profiteering.

He claimed that the prices in the country of essential commodities, including wheat flour, ghee and grams, were the lowest in the region.

The premier said Islamabad was fast turning into a business and commercial centre. He said five new five-star hotels were being constructed in the city. With completion of a new airport, the plans for which had been finalised, the capital would emerge as a regional centre for conventions and conferences, he said.

The prime minister said the chambers of commerce and industry played an important role in reflecting views of the business community and in the economic growth and development of the country. Their suggestions during budget preparation provided useful feedback to the government, he said.

Mr Aziz said the reform agenda undertaken by the government was multifaceted and broad based. It was based on the philosophy of deregulation, liberalisation and privatisation coupled with transparency and good governance, he said.

He said the middle class was growing and increase in demand for consumer items, motor cycles and lifestyle products reflected improvement in the standard of living in both urban and rural areas.