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  • Poisonous gas incident: KCCI criticizes NDMA

    Poisonous gas incident: KCCI criticizes NDMA

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Monday criticized the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for not responding to the tragic incident of poisonous gas leakage in Kemari area, which claimed six lives.

    Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, President, KCCI while expressing deep concerns over the death of six people and hospitalization of dozens of others on Sunday night in Kemari area due to diffusion poisonous gas in the air, stated that it was really unfortunate and worrisome to see that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which was established with a prime objective to respond to such calamities, neither reached the affected area to rescue and find out the causes nor bothered to give any statement over the tragic incident.

    “Is NDMA responsible for responding only to those disasters in which more than 100 casualties occur”, he asked, adding that life of a single innocent person in such a calamity is also equally important hence, the NDMA and others must respond as quickly as possible.

    Agha Shahab stressed that NDMA should have rapidly responded to this particular incident in Kemari as soon as the first causality was reported but unfortunately, people kept losing their lives and dozens were hospitalized while the disaster management authority was not seen anywhere around and only a handful of the volunteers from Edhi and Chhipa reached the spot to rescue the affectees.

    He further urged that the concerned authorities must thoroughly investigate and find out the exact source of poisonous gas and accordingly take strict measures to avoid such incidents in future. “A Rapid Response Force must be established to deal with such calamities in Karachi as it is not the first time when people lost their lives. People are losing their lives in various incidents including fire eruptions, explosions caused by gas cylinders, buildings’ collapse and fatal road accidents etc. but no dedicated and fully equipped Rapid Response Force exists in the city that always results in raising the number of casualties”, he added.

    He was of the opinion that all such incidents remain confined to just summoning a report by the Chief Minister but no concrete step has ever been taken to minimize the loss of precious lives which is really worrisome for business community and the citizens of Karachi.

    He said that all the financial resources of Karachi are being utilized to run the entire country but a meager amount was hardly being spent on the city’s development. In response to Kemari incident, Federal Minister for Maritime Ali Zaidi stated that KPT has no resources to deal with such tragedies while the Sindh government and Mayor KMC are also complaining about having limited or no resources. It appears that Karachi, which contributes more than 70 percent revenue to the national exchequer is constantly being neglected by all three tiers of the government and continues to receive step motherly treatment, he added.

  • Karachi Chamber welcomes ease in US, UK travel advisory for Pakistan

    Karachi Chamber welcomes ease in US, UK travel advisory for Pakistan

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday welcomed the decision of United States and United Kingdom for easing travel advisory for Pakistan.

    KCCI president Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan in a statement said that the Karachi Chamber has been widely demanding relaxation in travel advisory and it was really heartening to see that the travel advisories have finally been eased by both these countries which would surely bring the people, particularly the business communities, more close to each other.

    “During the visit of every single diplomat throughout year, Chairman Businessmen Group Siraj Teli and all Office Bearers have been vocally urging the world community to ease travel advisories for Pakistan particularly Karachi.

    “We are very delighted to see that US and UK have relaxed their travel advisories and hope that more such announcements will be made by other important countries, particularly those from the European region as the security situation in Pakistan is much better now and it is a safe and secure destination for foreign investors and visitors,” he added in a statement issued.

    Agha Shahab, while terming it ‘a step in the right direction’, commented that this clearly indicates that the US and UK have realized the improved security situation in Pakistan thanks to the untiring efforts made by Law Enforcing Agencies who struggled really hard to cleanse Pakistan from the menace of terrorism and lawlessness.

    “After this positive news, the business and industrial community of Karachi expects improved trade and investment ties with the businessmen and investors from US and UK which was badly needed to deal with the ongoing economic crises being faced by the country,” he said while urging the business communities of the two major economies to come forward and visit Pakistan which offers immense trade and investment opportunities in almost all the sectors of the economy.

    He said that foreign investors from US and UK looking forward to invest or undertake joint venture in Pakistan must at least pay one visit to Karachi in order to see the ground realities themselves instead of relying on media reports which are usually exaggerated to create hype.

    Karachi is the financial, industrial and commercial hub of Pakistan contributing more than 70 percent revenue to the national exchequer.

  • Bahria Town investors fear their life-time savings at stake

    Bahria Town investors fear their life-time savings at stake

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Monday advised the management of Bahria Town to act sensibly as investors are fearing their life-time savings are at stake.

    Acting President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Arshad Islam and Chairman of Karachi Chamber’s Housing, Construction & Real Estate Subcommittee Asif Sumsum at a meeting while expressing deep concerns over the hardships being faced by the allottees and members of Bahria Town, stated that the management of Bahria Town should have to act sensibly and they must prudently tackle the situation otherwise the project was likely to turn into a yet another serious scam which was neither in the interest of Bahria Town nor in the interest of Real Estate Agents, Investors and the General Public whose are fearing that all their lifetime savings were at stake.

    They underscored that any issue pertaining to additional charges or irregularities in the Bahria Town project have to be amicably resolved as it was not just a matter of grave concerns for the real estate agents, investors and overseas Pakistanis but also for thousands of those masses who have invested their hard earned monies and savings in different projects of Bahria Town so that they could ultimately have their own house in a beautiful, safe and secure locality which is obviously the biggest dream of almost all the people.

    Nobody can afford to see Bahria Town sinking, as it would give a serious blow not just to Bahria Town but also to all the stakeholders including the perturbed allottees and investors therefore, any irregularities in this essential project must be cautiously rectified and relief has to be provided as per aspirations of the perturbed masses, they added.

    Acting President KCCI and Chairman Housing, Construction & Real Estate Subcommittee stressed that the management of Bahria Town must devise those policies and strategies that ensure uninterrupted activities at Bahria Town. Not only Bahria Town but all other Developers must strictly refrain from taking those steps that terribly shake the confidence of the public and result in drowning their investments.

    The present government, local relevant authorities and the management of Bahria Town will have to seriously handle the situation, they said, adding that the Karachi Chamber, being the premier chamber of the country, is keeping a strong vigil on numerous developments in this particular issue and would certainly raise strong voice and knock every single door for assistance, if any injustice is done to the public.

    “KCCI, under its policy of ‘Public Service’ introduced by Chairman BMG Siraj Kassam Teli intervenes in every single matter that directly or indirectly affects the business & industrial community or the citizens of this city”, Acting President KCCI Arshad Islam said, “We are neither against the management of Bahria Town nor favoring anyone but would be happy to see that the issue is amicably resolved which is in the larger interest of this city.”

  • Razak Dawood hints incentives for exporters in next budget

    Razak Dawood hints incentives for exporters in next budget

    KARACHI: Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Industry and Production on Saturday said that the ministry of commerce is planning a comprehensive strategy with the help of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to introduce export incentives in the next federal budget 2020/2021.

    Razak Dawood was addressing during his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). He said that increase in exports is must for economic growth. The adviser said that the purpose of increasing exports is to boost foreign exchange reserves of the country.

    The adviser said that the economy was facing immense challenges a year ago. The economy was facing monthly $2 billion deficit during the period. The present government had taken decisions to improve the economic condition. “These decisions have resulted in shrinking current account deficit,” he added.

    The foreign exchange reserves of the country have increased to $18 billion from $11 billion.

    He pointed out criticism on five percent growth in exports and rupee devaluation and said that it should be realized that globally exports had declined. He said that Pakistani exports had increased in terms of volume.

    Razak Dawood said that exports should be duty and tax free. “In this regard we are planning with the FBR to facilitate exporters,” he added.

    He informed that India was allowed duty drawback on around 1,000 items. “If India is granting duty drawback on 1,000 items then we should increase the numbers,” he added.

    The adviser said that in the past the country had focused only on five sectors for exports. “We need to identify and increase the number of exportable items.”

    He said that businessmen complaining about non-issuance of refunds. “This is not correct. The government has released Rs17.5 billion refunds,” he added. “This month more refunds will be issued to non-textile sector.”

    The adviser said that the export of meat and poultry had increased by 54 percent. “We analyzed data and identified the exports of livestock was going to Saudi Arabia and UAE,” he said, adding that around 60 tons sea food products had been exported to China.

  • FPCCI, KCCI sit together after long time

    FPCCI, KCCI sit together after long time

    KARACHI: Members of Pakistan Federation of Chambers and Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday sit together after defeat of SM Muneer led group in the recent elections of FPCCI.

    Siraj Kassem Teli, Chairman of Businessmen Group (BMG) along with office bearers of KCCI visited FPCCI on the invitation of newly elected FPCCI president Anjum Nisar.

    President FPCCI Anjum Nisar in his welcome address appreciated the role of KCCI in supporting him in the election.

    He vowed that business community would evolve a joint strategy for resolution of problems.

    Nisar said that the economic conditions were not good and it was difficult for industries to operate in higher interest rates.

    BMG chairman Siraq Kassem Teli, who visited the FPCCI after about 20 years, praised the unity of business community.

    He said that his group would fully support the FPCCI on economic issues.

  • KCCI demands terminal operators to publicize container charges

    KCCI demands terminal operators to publicize container charges

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has demanded the terminal operators to make public the container charges.

    Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, President, KCCI while referring to numerous complaints submitted at the Chamber by the importers, urged the Terminal Operators and Shipping Agents to publicize Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL) charges on their websites in order to facilitate trade and industry.

    It has been observed that terminal operators and shipping agents do not share the breakup of charges even on demand and seek aggregate amount decided whimsically which was highly unfair as the relevant traders are totally unaware of what exactly was being charged under what label.

    “Access to such information is the fundamental right and a fair demand of the importers who are carrying out legitimate businesses and timely paying all their taxes”, he said, adding that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs must look into this issue and order the Terminal Operators and Shipping Agents to share breakup of charges with importers which would certainly be appreciated by the business community.

    Agha Shahab was of the opinion that Pakistan’s sea port charges were one of the highest in the South Asian region which discourage cost efficient shipping lines from taking cargo to and from Pakistan resulting in a demand/supply gap and higher transportation costs for the traders.

    “As per studies conducted earlier, Karachi’s two ports have charges which are estimated to be three times that of Sri Lanka’s, and seven times that of Singapore. Such problems should be addressed at the earliest, if we want to see Pakistan rapidly become a hub of regional trade”, he added.

    He said that the business community faces inconsistency in the charges of shipping companies, thus making costing and forecasting difficult for businessmen.

    Shipping lines are charging exorbitant charges in the name of free competitive rates and loose cargo landing delivery orders.

    “In addition, high port charges are being charged as there is no fixed policy in this regard. This is adversely affecting the business in terms of flow thus creating a negative impact for the business community,” he added.

    He stressed that the charges of KICT, PICT and QICT are too high in comparison with global standards and need to be reduced.

    “There is a need to increase the time of free days of delivery order and detention charges of containers to 21 days and detention slab of not more than $5 per day after 21 days by the shipping companies. The number of demurrage free days should also be increased to around 10 days,” he added.

  • Gas shortage created purposely for using RLNG: KCCI

    Gas shortage created purposely for using RLNG: KCCI

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has said that the gas shortage in Sindh is created purposely to force industry to take RLNG.

    Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, President KCCI in a statement on Wednesday said: “gas pressure has been reducing purposely to pressurize the industries to take RLNG, which has resulted in terribly affecting the overall production and was causing severe losses of up to billions of rupees.”

    He added: “Gas resources in Sindh are largely being mismanaged that has led to creating severe crises not only in Sindh but also in Punjab and the rest of the country.

    “None of the provinces were getting the required gas due to the said mismanagement. If gas resources are distributed exactly as per Article 158, there will not be any crises in Sindh and Karachi, which is the hub of economic & industrial activities while the rest of the country must get RLNG which has to be promptly imported.”

    He expressed displeasure over serious gas shortage being suffered by the industries situated in all industrial zones in Karachi, stressed that the gas being produced in Sindh must at first be provided to its inhabitants and industries whereas only surplus gas should be forwarded to other provinces as per Article 158 of Pakistan’s Constitution.

    Agha Shahab stated that RLNG, which was being imported to overcome gas shortages, must be provided to those provinces who either have zero gas production or were not producing sufficient amount of gas as per their requirement whereas, the Sindh province, which is blessed with abundant gas resources, must get gas from its own reserves.

    “Why the consumers in Sindh are being compelled to take RLNG, when the province has sufficient gas reserves to surmount its local demand,” he asked, adding that it is totally ‘contrary to the Constitution.’

    “We, the business & industrial community of Karachi, are already suffering badly because of high cost of doing business therefore the suspension of gas in Karachi would not only prove detrimental for the industry but would also lead to worsening the economic crises, besides raising poverty and unemployment,” he opined.

    Referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s remarks in which the business community was urged to set up industries and factories as 2020 is going to be a year of growth, Agha Shahab said that under the prevailing circumstances when the existing industries were confronted with severe gas crises, high electricity rates, exorbitant interest rates, devaluing rupee against dollar, rising petroleum prices, lack of infrastructure and other serious civic issues, how could anyone think of setting up industries or go for expansion.

    “In order to actually make 2020 a year of growth, the government will have to resolve all these issues on top priority otherwise there will be no growth at all and the economic performance would continue to remain depressed or it may even worsen further,” he added.

  • KCCI assures support to newly elected FPCCI president, successful candidates of BMP

    KCCI assures support to newly elected FPCCI president, successful candidates of BMP

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has assured full support to newly elected president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and successful candidates nominated by BMP panel.

    Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) & Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli has congratulated Chairman Businessmen Panel and the newly elected President FPCCI Mian Anjum Nisar, Senior Vice Chairman BMP Mian Zahid Hussain, Shaukat Ahmed, Zakaria Usman and others on BMP’s impressive victory in FPCCI’s elections.

    In a statement issued, Siraj Teli said that as BMP, under the leadership of Mian Anjum Nisar, has been struggling really hard since many years and this year they succeeded in overthrowing almost all their opponents, the business & industrial community hopes that the newly elected leadership at FPCCI would take practical steps to improve FPCCI’s functioning and make it a vibrant platform.

    Siraj Teli opined that setting the FPCCI free from the clutches of UBG, which remained in power for five consecutive years, was not an easy task but due to hard work and sincere efforts along with BMG’s full support, BMP candidates outshined in FPCCI’s elections and they all deserve to be appreciated.

    He was of the opinion that the new leadership at FPCCI will have to revisit all the policies, completely replace the existing mechanism and devise effective strategies in consultation with all stakeholders to improve FPCCI’s image and make it the leading voice of the entire business and industrial community at the national level.

    Siraj Teli stressed that FPCCI, as a national institution will have to focus on getting the national issues resolved while the newly elected leadership must fulfill their commitments made to the business community during the election campaign. “Every step taken by BMP leadership to improve FPCCI’s performance and in the larger interest of the country will be fully supported by the Karachi Chamber and Businessmen Group as we firmly believe that we all can play the lead role in dealing with the ongoing economic crises if we make collective efforts”, he added.

  • Iranian delegation urges Pakistan for reducing customs duties for promoting formal trade

    Iranian delegation urges Pakistan for reducing customs duties for promoting formal trade

    KARACHI: Iranian trade delegation has urged Pakistani authorities to bring down customs duties in order to encourage formal trade between the two countries.

    Talking to the members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Morad Nemati, leader of the Iranian delegation said that in order to improve the trade relations between Pakistan and Iran, it was really essential that steps have to be taken to deal with the barriers hindering smooth trade between the two brotherly countries while the high custom duties need to be brought down to encourage legal trade and discourage smuggling.

    Morad Nemati added that in addition to bringing down the high custom duties, formal banking channel between the two countries has to be activated which was widely being demanded by the business communities of the two countries since quite some time now.

    Commercial Attaché of the Iranian Consulate in Karachi Mahmoud Hajy Yousefi Pour, Vice President Shahid Ismail, Former Vice President Asif Sheikh Javaid, KCCI Managing Committee Members and members of the Iranian delegation from different sectors of the economy were also present on the occasion.

    While referring to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Morad Nemati said that this essential project was going to open up huge opportunities not just for Pakistan but also for Iran and they (Iran) want to become part of this project which would surely ensure prosperity in the entire region.

    He also underscored that that the business communities of the two countries will have to meet more frequently and improve their contacts, besides holding Single Country Exhibitions which would certainly improve trade and investment in both the brotherly countries.

    Morad Nemati, who has also discharged his service as Commercial Attaché of the Iranian Consulate in Karachi, assured full support and cooperation to the business community so that trade could improve further and they collectively explore new avenues trade cooperation.

    Earlier, Vice President KCCI Shahid Ismail, while welcoming the Iranian delegation, stated that despite being brotherly countries, trade remains low hence, Pakistan and Iran must make collective efforts to explore new avenues. It has always been KCCI’s struggle to promote bilateral trade and the Chamber has a very positive approach towards improving trade ties particularly with neighboring countries.

    He pointed out that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran was much less than the potential as Pakistan exports stood at a mere $330.2 million while the imports were around $1.247 billion during 2018.

    Shahid Ismail noted that the negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are underway as both the countries have shared their desire of upgrading Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) into Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for which initial drafts have already been shared while the State Bank of Pakistan has also shared draft of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for signing its Banking Paying Arrangement (BPA) with Iran’s Iranian Bank Markazi Jomhouri. Both countries have already signed MoU through which channels would be opened in the central banks of both the countries for trade transactions that would reduce the usage of dollar account for Letter of Credit (LC) clearance.

    He hoped that the desperately needed proper banking channel between Pakistan and Iran becomes a reality soon which would surely boost the existing trade ties.

    Shahid Ismail underscored the need to sort out infrastructural constraints to enhance bilateral trade via Quetta-Taftan land route whereas regular operation of ECO container train will lend impetus to cargo and transit facilities between the two countries. While underscoring the need for a realistic approach, Vice President KCCI said that KCCI was keen to strengthen trade ties with their counterparts in Iran.

  • Kuwait ready to ease visa policy for Pakistani businessmen

    Kuwait ready to ease visa policy for Pakistani businessmen

    KARACHI: Salem Yousif Al-Hamdan, Consul General of Kuwait, has said that his government is ready to ease visa policy for Pakistani businessmen.

    In order further discuss and devise strategies for easing the issuance of business visas, the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry was ready to hold negotiations and in this regard, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior had been approached quite some time ago but unfortunately they have not received any response from them so far, the Kuwaiti Consul General said at a meeting with office bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

    A press release issued by the KCCI on Wednesday quoted the consul general as saying that around 120 communities were living in Kuwait which was the basic reason why Kuwait has to adopt stringent visa policy which was not just for Pakistanis but also for all the foreigners.

    “We want to ease issuance of business visa hence, negotiations must take place between the Interior Ministries of the two friendly countries as soon as possible,” he added.

    Kuwaiti Consul General pointed out that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a very important project which would have a positive impact not only on Pakistan but the entire region.

    “To attract the interest of Kuwaiti business community and other investors from the Gulf, we asked the Government of Balochistan to organize a CPEC Conference in Karachi and we will make sure that this conference is attended not only by the Kuwaiti business community but also by other potential investors from the gulf region,” he said, adding that this conference would help in raising awareness about the significance of CPEC project and provide a perfect opportunity to highlight the immense CPEC-related investment opportunities in Pakistan.

    Salem Al-Hamdan further mentioned that Kuwait has signed many MoUs with different institutions from all provinces in Pakistan while work on some of these MoUs has already begun and the Kuwaiti Investment Authority was also intending to undertake numerous projects in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh province.

    Referring to an MoU signed between Kuwait Chamber and Karachi Chamber, he said that both chambers had excellent relations in the past but with the passage of time, some gap has developed as no interaction was taking place between the two institutions.

    “Hence, I decided to visit KCCI and will certainly be making efforts to restore communication between Kuwait and Karachi Chambers by playing the role of bridge between the two institutions,” he added.

    He said that Pakistan and Kuwait, being brotherly and friendly countries, have been enjoying very old and good relations as many commodities were smoothly being traded while Kuwaitis have very positive sentiments for Pakistanis.

    “The two countries have good trade ties and many Pakistanis have also been working really hard in different sectors of Kuwaiti economy which is a testimony that we both are true friends,” he added.

    Kuwaiti CG was of the opinion that Karachi city, being the financial, trading and industrial center of the Pakistan with two ports, can offer a lot of trade and investment opportunities to Kuwaiti business community but the business communities of both the brotherly countries will have to meet regularly, exchange trade delegations and explore more avenues of trade and investment cooperation.

    Earlier, president KCCI Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, in his welcome address, stated that Karachi, which is the economic hub of Pakistan, offers profitable investment opportunities and added facilities for trade, investment and joint ventures to business and industrial community from Kuwait.

    Karachi city, which contributes more than 70 percent revenue to the national exchequer, is an attractive place for Kuwaiti businessmen, who can surely earn maximum profits by undertaking joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts.

    Commenting on economic relations between Pakistan and Kuwait, he said that both countries share cordial and healthy bilateral relations based on cooperation in different economic spheres.

    “During 2018, Pakistan exported goods worth $172.69 million to Kuwait as against exports of $166.78 million in 2017, showing a growth of 3.54 percent while our imports from Kuwait witnessed a decline of 4.11 percent to $1.40 billion during 2018 as against imports of $1.46 billion in 2017.”