October 15, 2006	Sunday	Ramazan 21, 1427

KARACHI: Most businessmen and industrialists were found to be ignorant about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set up by the ‘Millennium Declaration’ adopted at the United Nations in 2000.

Dawn has tried to solicit views of the business community about MDGs. Some say that they just had a glimpse of the MDGs but did not bother to study it well as they saw no relevance of these goals to their businesses. However, some acknowledge that they are hearing about the MDGs for the first time from this scribe.

The government claims to have informed the private sector and public related departments about eight MDGs and targets that it set for itself, but industrialists’ cool response to MDGs exposes the hollowness of the government’s claims.

“I have never heard of such a thing (MDGs),” Site Association of Industry Chairman Ameen Bandukda said, adding: “Let me have a look at the eight goals and then I will be able to throw some light on it.”

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Chaudhry Mohammad Saeed said that he had not read about the MDGs and sought time to study it before making any comments.

F.B. Area Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Rehan Zeeshan said: “Frankly speaking I have heard about MDGs first time from you and I do not know anything about it. I will talk to other businessmen on this issue.”

Former North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Syed Azim Ali said that he had never heard of MDGs. “I am sure neither any businessmen nor even any staff in my office is aware of MDGs. The government has not informed the private sector about it,” he added.

Newly-elected NKATI Chairman Faraz Mirza said that he was also not aware of any MDG, adding the government had not provided any information to the industry about it.

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Masood Naqi said that he had heard of it but had not read it yet. The government had not informed the association about the MDGs, he added.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Majyd Aziz thought that MDGs were actually a WTO agenda or the guidelines for developing nations. He said that he had a glimpse of the eight goals some times back. However, he sought one or two days for MDGs’ deep study in order present his viewpoint.“The government has never discussed the MDGs with the private sector and they have never informed the business community about it,” he said. After a closer look at the millennium goals, the KCCI chief said that the eighth goal -– Develop a Global Partnership for Development -– related to the business community but observed that it could only be achieved through the public-private partnership.

On Goal 1 -– Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger -– he said opening new job avenues and improving skill development could well address this goal in a better way. About the Achievement of Universal Primary Education, he said that it was government’s job. Political considerations and feudal mindset had hampered all the process of promoting education at grass-roots level. “There are still thousands of ghost schools and ghost teachers, and precious money was being misused. Country’s economic development depends on imparting preliminary education on a larger scale,” he added.

On Goal 3 -– Gender Equality and Empower Women -– Mr Majyd said that some achievement had been seen in the shape of rising role of women in politics, increasing number of girls enrolment in schools and opening of employment opportunities in every field.

On Goal 4 -- Reduce Child Mortality -– he attributed it to the expensive medicines and mishandling of patients at government and private hospitals. On Goal 5 and 6 -– Improve Maternal Health and Combat HIV Aids and Malaria -– he said because of social and religious taboos “our media cannot play a role in creating awareness on these subjects”. Besides, there are no fumigation and spray campaigns that could control malaria and other diseases.

On Goal 7 -– Ensure Environment Sustainability -– the KCCI chief said there had been a lack of focus on the part of the government, especially at the industrial areas. He said the issue of effluent treatment plant, to be installed at all five industrial estates, was still on the papers.