GUJRAT: Three chambers of commerce and industry of Gujrat, Sialkot and Gujranwala and at least 13 associations of different business fields in the region have formed a ‘Golden Triangle Council’ to enhance mutual cooperation over issues being faced by the trade and industry of the area.

The council was formed at the ‘Golden Triangle Conference 2017’ hosted by GTCCI here on Friday. The moot was also attended by the acting president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Aamir Atta Bajwa, former presidents of the federation SM Muneer, Iftikhar Malik, Mian Idrees, vice president Kareem Aziz Malik and representatives of other major chambers of commerce in Punjab.

GTCCI President Ali Ansar Ghuman, SCCI President Zahid Latif Malik and GCCI President Mian Aamir Aziz jointly signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the occasion.

The MOU was also endorsed by the Jhelum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) as well as some 13 different associations of various industrial sectors of Gujranwala region, including Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association, All Pakistan Furniture Makers Association, All Pakistan Stainless Steel Importers Association, Gujranwala, All Pakistan Aluminum Utensils manufacturers Association, Gujranwala, All Pakistan Cutlery and Utensils Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Wazirabad, Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association, Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Air Cargo Agents Association of Pakistan, Sialkot, and All Pakistan Pottery Manufacturers Association, Gujrat.

Sialkot chamber’s Dr Numan was elected first president of the golden triangle council whereas presidents, senior vice-presidents and vice-presidents of the three chambers as well as chairmen of the regional associations were nominated as members of the board of directors.

Speaking to participants, Dr Nauman said that the products of the industry belonging to golden triangle districts was contributing at least two to three billion dollars annually.

He said the business community, particularly the exporters, had been facing shortage of working capital due to delay in clearance of tax refund of billions of rupees pending with the finance ministry.

Akhlaq Butt, former president of GCCI, said that the environment for the industrial growth had not been conducive as existing industries were being hurt by wrong policies of the government. He said there was a huge difference of price of sui gas between Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Punjab. “Manufacturers belonging to Punjab have been buying the gas at exorbitant rates.”

He urged FPCCI leaders to raise their voice in favor of genuine problems of the trade and industry.Acting president of FPCCI Aamir Bajwa said that apparently the business community seemed to be split which should get united to resolve its long standing issues as traders and industrialists must be on the same page.

SM Muneer said that FPCCI would convene a countrywide convention of the business community before January 31 to discuss the issues being faced by the businessmen at national level due to the harsh policies of Ishaq Dar. He said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif did not listen to them despite several requests.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2017