February 24, 2007	Saturday	Safar 6, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: Representatives of various chambers have proposed several amendments in the rules to regulate trade bodies under the newly promulgated Trade Organisations Ordinance, 2006. The meeting was headed by Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan, which was attended by all the relevant stakeholders.

An official announcement issued after the meeting said the minister informed the participants that the purpose of consultative meeting was to go through the rules of the draft law. He said that the participants would be encouraged to give their opinions.

Ilyas Bilour of the FPCCI pointed to a few clauses of the draft as impracticable. He said that the number of membership of the chambers and trade associations should be optional.

Another FPCCI leader Tariq Saeed proposed that the number of membership for a chamber should be reduced from 300. He also suggested that the ministry should give a model for the chambers and associations.

The minister listened carefully to the suggestions and assured the business leaders that their proposals would be considered.

It was decided in the meeting that a website should be maintained by each chamber, (if not possible at present) after one year. The purpose is to have a public access to the membership of the chambers.

For small chambers, which cannot afford a website, a list of their members will be displayed at some public places. The purpose of this whole exercise is to expose fake trade bodies. A register of genuine trade bodies should also be maintained to discourage fake registration.

A business leader Mr. Siraj Teli from Karachi proposed that no reserve seats should be kept in the FPCCI for any areas and with the president, four vice presidents from the four provinces should be elected.

Participants from the Overseas Chamber, America Business Council, Textile Association of Pakistan, Sarhad Chamber, Lahore Chamber, Hazara Chamber, and Sargodha Chamber also participated in the discussion.