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Tag: KCCI

  • Customs reluctant in giving WeBOC access: ANF

    Customs reluctant in giving WeBOC access: ANF

    KARACHI: Commandant Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Brig. Syed Waqar Haider Rizvi has said that ANF’s examination procedure can be expedited if it was given access to WEBOC system which was being demanded since last three years but unfortunately Customs authorities were reluctant to give WEBOC access.

    “If we get access to WEBOC, it would make things easier for us and minimize the grievances being faced by business community. Although we have been constantly demanding access to WEBOC but KCCI must also do the same and take up this matter with higher authorities so that ANF gets WEBOC access which would surely prove favorable for all stakeholders”, he added while speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI).

    Deputy Director/ In-charge, Port Control Unit ANF Muhammad Ayub, President KCCI Shariq Vohra, Senior Vice President Saqib Goodluck, Vice President KCCI Shamsul Islam, Chairman Law & Order Subcommittee Junaid ur Rehman, KCCI Managing Committee Members and others attended the meeting.

    While referring to inspections being carried out by ANF and Customs Authorities at the airports, he said that the Custom Authorities initially carry out the inspection of baggage while ANF staff was the last one to perform the same task at the airport which outrages many passengers as they have to go through the same procedure again.

    “Hence, we felt it necessary to request Customs Authorities to jointly carry out the examination with ANF officials so that passengers’ hardships could be minimized but the customs authorities have not taken ANF’s request into consideration.”

    Replying to concerns expressed by meeting participants over unavailability of ANF staff that often delays the examination, he said that majority of the Terminal Operators and port authorities were unwilling to give space to ANF for setting up a small office which was the basic reason for delays. However, ANF, with a workforce of 3,000 personnel only across Pakistan, was trying its best to deliver within the available limited resources.

    “All stakeholders including traders, port authorities, Customs, ANF and Pakistan Coast Guard must sit together to discuss and resolve problems surfacing due to poor repacking after examination”, Commandant ANF said while responding to apprehensions expressed by KCCI members over poor repacking that damages the goods in transit.

    He said that ANF was cognizant of the hardships being faced by importers and exporters due to delays in examination of goods and was trying its best to minimize the grievances by examining minimum number of containers.

    Commandant ANF suggested that KCCI should give a focal person so that the issues faced by its members in dealing with ANF could be swiftly resolved. “Frequent interaction between KCCI and ANF would help in resolving most of the issues”, he said, adding that ANF carries out its activities for the betterment of Pakistan without any compromises.

    “We have to work collectively for creating an enabling environment”, he said while extending full support and cooperation to KCCI in promptly dealing with ANF related issues.

    Speaking on the occasion, President KCCI Shariq Vohra stressed that ANF must focus on improving its perception and has to fully facilitate the business community as in many cases, the Force was being accused of creating hurdles and delaying the clearance procedure.

    He was of the opinion that interaction between KCCI and ANF must regularly take place so that the issues could be regularly discussed and amicably resolved. “We are not against ANF activities as they have a major responsibility on their shoulders which is to intercept the influx of drugs and narcotics. Although stringent efforts are needed from all stakeholders to make Pakistan a completely drugs-free state but, the examination procedure has to be speeded up as at times, delays cause severe losses to business community.”

    The meeting participant raised concerns over delays in examination by ANF which leads to causing losses on account of demurrage, detention and ungrounding charges. They also suggested that ANF must enhance number of workforce and resources while the obsolete scanners at the ports must also be replaced with the latest ones and more scanners must also be installed at all the ports in Karachi.

  • No paper-based foreign exchange operation after June: SBP

    No paper-based foreign exchange operation after June: SBP

    KARACHI: All the banks will discontinue paper-based foreign exchange operation after June 2021, Managing Director of State Bank of Pakistan’s Banking Services Corporation Muhammad Ashraf Khan said on Monday.

    He said that digitalization of foreign exchange, which started in March 2020, has been expanded from 8 to 13 banks and majority of the banks will be processing 88 percent of foreign exchange digitally by the end of February 2021 and 98 percent by April whereas the banks will completely discontinue paper-based submissions after June 2021.

    MD SBP-BSC, while speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) on Monday, added that the initiative to digitalize foreign exchange operation was taken to create ease for the business community by completely eradicating the paperwork and expediting the overall process which has successfully been implemented by many banks.

    Head of Foreign Exchange Operations Department SBP Shakeel Muhammad Paracha, Director Exchange Policy Department SBP Arshad Mehmood Bhatti, Vice President KCCI Shamsul Islam Khan, Chairman of KCCI’s Banking & Insurance Subcommittee Qazi Zahid Hussain, Advisor Banking & Insurance Subcommittee Ateeq ur Rehman and others attended the meeting.

    MD SBP-BSC further stated that everything has been transferred from manual to digital processing and the customers have the freedom to get online anytime either from their home or office to apply for delivery of remittances without any paperwork while the customers will receive updates and objections (If any) about his transaction on his/ her registered email address.

    While assuring full support and cooperation, he stressed that the business and industrial community must come forward to adopt the digital mode for foreign exchange in which the customers can get registered themselves and track progress of case while relevant bank staff is also intimated about the progress and history of all the transactions is also maintained in a paperless environment.

    Vice President KCCI Shamsul Islam Khan, in his remarks, pointed that the State Bank, in any economy, plays the role of a heart in the economic development of the country by ensuring smooth circulation of funds and it was heartening to see that the State Bank has also been responsibly playing its role in an efficient manner which can be gauged from improved economic indicators particularly exports and remittances which have witnessed substantial growth.

    “However, the growth in remittances being witnessed nowadays may not last long hence, the State Bank needs to come up with some kind of the effective policy or incentive package which encourages Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs) to invest in numerous sectors of the economy.

    Encouraging such investments by NRPs would prove would not only help in dealing with economic crises but would also promote industrialization and create abundant employment opportunities on long term”, he added.

    He also stressed the need to take concrete measures for effectively dealing with the menace of smuggling which terribly hinders the legal trade and causes losses to the national exchequer.

    In this regard, he particularly suggested to establish Common Industrial Zone or Common Industrial Park near Pak-Iran border where all Custom Duties/ taxes should be kept at minimum level while this zone should be fully equipped with required infrastructure and the gas and electricity supplies should be provided by Iran which would surely bring down the cost of doing business due to cheaper electricity and gas tariffs that would attract a large number of industrialists to set up their units and warehouses in this particular zone.

  • PSL becomes nuisance for citizens: Karachi Chamber

    PSL becomes nuisance for citizens: Karachi Chamber

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction over traffic management during Pakistan Super League (PSL) sixth edition saying that the return of cricket in metropolis has become the biggest source of nuisance for Karachiites.

    In a statement Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) & Former President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Zubair Motiwala stated that the return of cricket in metropolis has become the biggest source of nuisance for Karachiites nowadays as more than half of the city’s population suffers terribly for so many hours because of poor traffic management plan in which some of the most critical arteries are blocked which is neither acceptable to Karachiites nor to the business community, hence it must be revisited straightaway.

    Motiwala pointed out that due to complete blockade of roads around the National Stadium, traffic is usually diverted to other roads which causes severe traffic jams at all these roads throughout the day while, the residents of the affected areas, which are densely populated, have to make efforts from pillar to post each day to reach their destinations.

    “Moreover, two biggest hospitals of Karachi are also situated on a road leading to the National Stadium Road which is also closed during PSL.

    “We have been receiving huge number of complaints from patients and their relatives who are either visiting Agha Khan Hospital or Liaquat National Hospital or National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) which is right next to National Stadium as it has been witnessed that many ambulances rushing towards these hospitals remain stuck up in traffic jams on daily basis which enhances the chances of more casualties hence, the city’s administration will have to shred the existing traffic management plan and come up with some other viable strategy in which the main roads should not be blocked at any cost.”

    The Business & Industrial community demands from the city’s administration, particularly Commissioner Karachi Naved Ahmed Shaikh and DIG Traffic Iqbal Dara to look into this serious issue and take steps to reduce the hardships for Karachiites by immediately revisiting the existing traffic management plan, Motiwala said, adding that cricket, which is a source of entertainment, should not become a source of torture for Karachiites who are already suffering badly on the streets of Karachi due to dilapidated state of the infrastructure.

    Zubair Motiwala pointed out that even the business activities suffer badly during PSL days as the citizens of Karachi, after undergoing worst traffic conditions, prefer to somehow reach their homes only and refrain from visiting commercial markets for buying purposes which brings down the commercial activities and causes immense losses to shopkeepers.

    “Although it is a bit difficult to give the exact number for the losses suffered by business community but it could go up to billions of rupees due to diverse range of businesses and a large number of markets including the well-known Bahadurabad, Tariq Road and Millennium Mall etc. where business activities get terribly affected due to road blocks”, he said, adding that who would come to visit Bahadurabad, Tariq Road, Millennium Mall or other nearby markets for shopping from North Karachi, Gulistan e Jauher or any other area when they know it is going to be an uphill task to reach these markets due to road blocks and subsequent traffic jams.

    “Every year, KCCI receives dozens of complaints mainly from the shopkeepers who complain about limited business activities due to PSL and the same has started again this year. Hence, being the premier and largest Chamber of the country, KCCI will not remain silent and raise a strong voice at all available platforms until relief is provided to the perturbed citizens of Karachi”, Chairman BMG said.

    He demanded that instead of closing down the main Stadium Road, police vehicles can be parked to guard the stadium while the number of policemen and Rangers troops must also be enhanced and each law-enforcers should be deployed on the roadside at a distance of at least 20 feet away from the other at all the surrounding roads which would not only secure the stadium by creating a stronghold for preventing any unpleasant incident but would also minimize the hardships for commuters during PSL.

  • PIA offers 10pc discount on domestic, international tickets to Karachi Chamber

    PIA offers 10pc discount on domestic, international tickets to Karachi Chamber

    KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a 10 percent discount on air tickets of both domestic and international flights to members and staff of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

    The discount is available to members and staff at newly PIA outlet inaugurated at KCCI premises, a statement said on Wednesday.

    The discount is available at 10 percent on domestic and international flights not only to KCCI members and staff but also their family members.

    In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PIA Air Marshal Retd. Arshad Malik and President KCCI M. Shariq Vohra at a ceremony organized at KCCI which was also attended by Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) & Former President KCCI Zubair Motiwala, Senior Vice President KCCI Saqib Goodluck, Vice President Shamsul Islam Khan, Former Presidents Younus Muhammad Bashir, Shamim Ahmed Firpo & Junaid Esmail Makda and others.

    Speaking on the occasion, CEO PIA Arshad Malik paid glowing tribute to Late Siraj Kassam Teli for his exceptional services to the country, particularly the business & industrial community.

    “Because of his splendid work, Siraj Teli would go down in the history and will always be remembered. He was a fatherly figure who fearlessly raised voice for the rights of business community and Karachi city,” he added.

    He informed that PIA has recently airlifted a cargo of kinnow and was particularly focused on providing cargo facilities at competitive rates hence, KCCI members should use PIA’s cargo service for sending their cargoes at corporate rates which will be kept lower than the market rates. “You decide the price for cargo and we will live up to it,” he added.

    Arshad Malik was of the opinion that the revival of PIA was a challenging task in 2019 but by taking the ownership along with the commitment and sincere efforts, the performance of the national flag carrier was improved however, the airline suffered badly due to COVID-19 pandemic.

    He further informed that PIA management was taking every possible step for the betterment of the airline and in this regard, a Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) with attractive package was given to some 2000 employees.

    “Segregation of core and non-core groups was likely while the aircrafts acquired on expensive lease were being returned and replaced with better aircrafts at reasonable rates,” he added.

    In response to a suggestion pertaining to commencement of direct flights to northern areas, he said that although PIA was capable of providing direct flight but it was currently not possible due to lack of runways and refueling facilities in many areas of the country.

    “Keeping in view the potential of Gwadar, the number of direct flights has been raised to three from one as this city is going to become a major hub of economic and financial activities.”

    Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, in his remarks, appreciated all the efforts being made by CEO PIA to improve the performance of national flag carrier which has to be improved to such an extent that PIA thrives and flies high not only in the skies of Pakistan but also the rest of the world which can become possible only if the government facilitates and provide conducive environment with a focus to restore the lost glories of the national flag carrier.

    Keeping in view the performance of other local airlines, he advised CEO PIA to double the number of domestic flights with same kind of treatment and services which were being provided by PIA’s competitors that would surely yield positive results.

    “We are patriotic Pakistanis and we want to help and support PIA so we would prefer to fly to our destinations via national flag carrier but PIA must improve its services as per international standards,” he added while acknowledging the timely arrival and departure of PIA flights soon after Arshad Malik assumed charge as CEO PIA.

    Chairman BMG further appealed the entire business and industrial community to come forward, support and cooperate with PIA in whatever way they can so that PIA could come out of crises and attains success.

    In his welcome address, President KCCI Shariq Vohra, while appreciating the efforts being made by CEO PIA to pull the national flag carrier out of crises, stressed the need to make collective efforts and aggressively promote the good things happening at PIA while KCCI, with an impressive membership base, can become a good partner of PIA in various fields.

    He was of the opinion that the airlines business has been growing in Pakistan as AirSial, AirBlue and SereneAir have been enjoying thriving businesses with aircrafts flying at full capacity therefore, PIA must also focus on improving the market share by offering its service at competitive rates through cost reduction. “In this regard, the domestic industry has to be integrated with PIA which would certainly reduce cost and save valuable foreign exchange,” he added.

  • KCCI expresses concerns over sudden stoppage of National Saving payments

    KCCI expresses concerns over sudden stoppage of National Saving payments

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday expressed deep concerns over sudden stoppage of payments by National Saving Centers (NSCs) and urged the government take immediate action in this regard.

    KCCI President Shariq Vohra in a statement, while expressing deep concerns over the sudden stoppage of payments by NSCs, urged the government to look into this serious issue as any delay in these payments would intensify the hardships mostly for the senior citizens including retired individuals and widows whose lives depend on timely payments.

    The President KCCI pointed out that KCCI has received numerous complaints as the returns of many individuals against their investments in NSC certificates have been put on hold without a valid reason and they all were extremely worried about it.

    “It is a well-known fact that these payments belong mostly to senior citizens and widows whose lifetime savings are invested in certificates so that they could utilize the monthly returns on their daily bread and butter. Hence, it is really unfair to stop such critically and economically important payment,” he added.

    He said that on one hand, the Federal Ombudsman has directed the Pakistan Post to digitize all Post Offices by February 2021 to avoid delay in payment of profits against saving certificates issued to senior citizens and widows but on the other hand, this important segment remains deprived as their request for release of outstanding payment has been turned down.

    He stressed that in order to facilitate the senior citizens, the National Saving Center has to be completely digitalized and its operations should be improved as per banking standards while the profits payable should instantly be transferred into the personal accounts of its account holders, which would be widely welcomed as the senior citizens will not be required to visit saving centers every month to claim their dues and they will be able to access their profits online.

    President KCCI requested the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan to issue directives for immediate release of payments to the masses so that their lives were not disturbed.

  • Turkish envoy holds meetings with FPCCI, KCCI members to boost bilateral trade

    Turkish envoy holds meetings with FPCCI, KCCI members to boost bilateral trade

    KARACHI: Consul General of Turkey Tolga UCAK on Tuesday held meetings with members of leading trade bodies of Pakistan to discuss possibilities of enhancing trade and commercial ties between the two countries.

    During his visit to Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) commenting on the proposals of FPCCI President Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, the Consul General informed that there will be an inauguration of the services of Cargo Train between Istanbul and Islamabad with transit time of 9-10 days. This initiative will go a long way in promotion of bilateral trade.

    He also offered to organize road show in Pakistan with attracting Turkish Products. He was optimistic that in the post coronavirus the volume of bilateral trade will be further enhanced for which we have to prepare ourselves and make plans of future activities.

    He assured his full support to the initiative undertaken by FPCCI and its JBC for the joint activities between both countries.

    During his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Tolga UCAK stressed the need to encourage joint ventures in different sectors of the economy whereas Turkey can also assist in setting up a tram service system in Karachi, particularly at the coastal line of sea view, which would change the face of Karachi and become a tourists’ attraction.

    While expressing keenness to strengthen trade and investment ties between the business communities of the two countries, Turkish CG assured that the commercial section of Turkish Consulate in Karachi was ready to fully assist Karachi’s business & industrial community intending to improve trade and investment ties with their Turkish counterparts.

    To deal with trade-related conflicts and protect the interest of customers, he suggested to form a private-to-private sector committee between the two countries

  • Industry rejects shutting down gas supply decision

    Industry rejects shutting down gas supply decision

    KARACHI: Trade and industry on Monday strongly rejected the government decision of discontinuing gas supply for export and manufacturing sectors.

    The industry will face the ever severe situation in the wake of discontinuation of gas supply to captive power generation for general industry from February 01 and the export-oriented sectors from March 01, 2021 leaving severe impact on the economy and exports of Pakistan.

    This was stated by Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) addressing a Press Conference.

    The President FPCCI also accompanied by President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shariq Vohra and other business leaders.

    All the business leaders vehemently rejected the cabinet decision and appealed Prime Minister to revisit this decision in the best interest of the survival of industry and for enhancement of Pakistan’s export and creating employment in the country.

    He further went on saying that industry is already confronted with many challenges particularly with respect to procurement of long term orders for the exports.

    However, the Pakistan’s exports when witnessing a growth this decision has badly affected confidence of foreign buyers and asking for completion of their orders and it is apprehended the export orders are likely to shift elsewhere to the other competing countries.

    He also quoted that Pakistan utility tariff is comparatively very high than the other regional countries.

    He further said that transferring electricity from captive power to grid will take time and costly not feasible as the cost of electricity generated by our captive powers is lower than the cost involved in shifting to grid.

    Most of the industries were running on natural gas using boilers and regeneration system so it was impossible to be converted on the grid and change the whole appliances within one month.

    Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo stated that the decision of Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) appears to have been taken on non-professional advice and without consultation of main stakeholders that is businessmen and apex bodies. He further said that this decision will not only harm the economy of Pakistan but will also damage our image with international buyers which seem a conspiracy against the progress made by Pakistan in the last two years by the present government.

    While addressing the press conference, Shariq Vohra, President KCCI showed surprise on the decision and stated that they would not allowed K-electric sabotage Karachi’s progress and development and both representative from Karachi Chamber strongly emphasized that government should not take such decisions that create labor unrest due to closures of factories.

  • Business demands to withdraw power tariff hike, shutting down captive power plants

    Business demands to withdraw power tariff hike, shutting down captive power plants

    KARACHI: Business community has demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to withdraw the decision to increase in power tariff hike and shutting down the captive power plants because such decision would sabotage efforts of the government to enhance the exports.

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  • KCCI, Jazz sign deal for 35 percent to businessmen

    KCCI, Jazz sign deal for 35 percent to businessmen

    In a significant move to benefit the local business community, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) and Jazz, Pakistan’s leading 4G operator and top internet and broadband service provider, have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, formalized on Saturday, aims to provide substantial discounts on Jazz’s services to KCCI members.

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  • KCCI demands immediate release of income tax refunds

    KCCI demands immediate release of income tax refunds

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to immediately release pending income tax refund claims of small traders, shopkeepers and the SMEs.

    The claims of around Rs50,000 to Rs100,0000, whose assessment has been completed should be released on top priority, Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and Former President KCCI said in a statement on Tuesday.

    “Blocking such refunds oppresses small businesses which continue to face serious cashflow problems. We have no idea how long the COVID-19 pandemic would last and it is a well-known fact that almost every household is a victim of this pandemic therefore, the government will have to provide relief as it is totally uncertain where the businesses will land up in the days to come”, he added while speaking at a meeting of Small Traders held at KCCI.

    The meeting was also attended by General Secretary BMG AQ Khalil, President KCCI M. Shariq Vohra, Senior Vice President KCCI M. Saqib Goodluck, Vice President KCCI Shamsul Islam Khan, Chairman of KCCI’s Special Committee for Small Traders Majeed Memon, Former Senior Vice Presidents Javed Bilwani and Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi, Former Vice President Talat Mehmood and KCCI Managing Committee Members along with representatives of several commercial markets from all over Karachi.

    Chairman BMG stressed that the government will have to bring in major changes in the taxation system and it also needs to devise effective mechanism to minimize the hardships of small traders as although big businesses may survive but the small ones need support as they have no access to financing facilities and have also lost all their savings while battling with the situation triggered by the pandemic. “SMEs and shopkeepers are the worst sufferers of the COVID-19 pandemic who must not be undermined and given relief.”

    He also stressed the need to resolve CNIC issue which was creating a lot of problems for the already perturbed businessmen who were compelled to run their businesses with limited timings and were strictly advised to comply with all the SOPs for containing COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in creating a troublesome situation for small traders by raising the costs and lowering the earnings.

    In response to concerns expressed over the imposition of municipal tax, he said that President KCCI has already taken up the municipal tax issue and was strictly pursuing the same so that the grievances faced by small traders could be minimized. Moreover, the Karachi Chamber was also closely monitoring the relocation of displaced shopkeepers whose premises were razed during the anti-encroachment drive. “These shopkeepers must be provided adequate alternate place for business and we are seriously working on it”, he assured.

    Chairman BMG said the problems confronted by small traders will always be given top priority by the leadership of Businessmen Group and sitting office bearers of the Karachi Chamber who would keep on raising a strong voice and make all out efforts to get the issues resolved.

    Zubair Motiwala, while recalling his journey with Late Siraj Kassam Teli, said that the vacuum created after the sad demise of late Siraj Teli cannot be filled by anyone but he along with all Vice Chairmen BMG and General Secretary BMG would try their level best to come up to the expectations of the entire business & industrial community, particularly the small traders who play the role of backbone in the economy. “We always spoke vocally about your issues and would continue to do so in future as well with same zeal and enthusiasm. KCCI would move forward hands-in-hands and its doors will always remain open for small traders while the policies introduced by Late Siraj Teli will remain intact and any inevitable change in these policies would only take place after consultation.”

    Speaking on the occasion, President KCCI M. Shariq Vohra said that the small traders were the assets of KCCI and the Chamber fully realizes their significance. KCCI’s role is to facilitate and support the business community in dealing with numerous government related matters and pave way for the progress and prosperity of small traders. “This is our job and we will remain unshakable until numerous issues are amicably resolved”, he added.