FAISALABAD: A paradigm shift in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry from a traditional advocacy forum to an aggressive and proactive knowledge based entity will make FCCI a leading and most productive chamber of the country and the publication of a comprehensive study report on CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) is a first step toward this direction, said Mian Muhammad Adrees Chairmen Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIDMEC)/former president Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
He was addressing a launching ceremony of a study report on CPEC here today. He said that 55 Billion Dollar investment on CPEC will have its own inherent pros and corns. “It also have unlimited opportunities for our business communities specially the young entrepreneurs to compete successfully with the investors from China who have edge of surplus capital, modern technology with in depth knowledge of the fast changing international economic situation.
He appreciated the attempt of FCCI to conduct study on this most sensitive issue which is going to reshape the world economy. In this situation we have to prepare ourselves and take up emerging challenges more aggressively and convincingly with our government at the local, national and international level. He said that there are many chambers that are toeing traditional strategies but the FCCI has taken an innovation step by reactivating its R&D cell which will benefit the entire business community of Pakistan. He said that this study report should not be the first and only one and its R&D section should be tasked to conduct regular studies on the changing economic prospects. He mentioned the apprehensions that Chinese investors will dominant our manufacturers sectors and said that he is confident that our businessmen and particularly the young entrepreneurs are very resilient and has capacities and potentials to face any challenge in most odd conditions. Quoting the example of Sitara Chemical, he said that it was a mercury based plant which was initially establish with an installed capacity of 3200 meters ton. He said that we continued to add new and upgraded machinery of 2500, 2100 and 2200 metric ton to keep our selves alive and active in the domestic as well as international markets. He also welcomed the establishment of Young Entrepreneur’s Forum (YEF) and said that they should be fully supported and motivated to hold its regular meetings by electing its office barriers from amongst themselves. He thanked the donation of Rs 2 million for R&D cell and said that he will also contribute his share in it. He directed that a separate account of this amount shall be maintained in a most transparent manners to convince others donors to voluntarily contribute towards this gigantic task. He further directed that the copies of the study report on CPEC should be widely circulated among all Business houses and government circles including Pakistan Business Council and other chambers of the country. He hoped that this book will also play its role in the image building of FCCI as a premier and productive chamber of Pakistan.
Earlier president Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh in his address of welcome paid glowing tribute to the Engineer Ahmed Hassan Vice President who has been making pains taking efforts to reorganize and upgrade the quality and efficiency of R&D cell as head of the R&D cell , CPEC and IT committee. He has achieved tremendous achievements during a short span of few months. He also thanked Mr. Musadiq Zulqarnain of Interloop who has donated Rs. 2 million for R&D section of FCCI. He requested Mian Muhammad Adrees to nominated Engineer Ahmed Hassan as head of the above mentioned 3 committees in reorganization of his meritorious services.
“This decision will help him to continue and accomplished the projects initiated by him as VPâ€, he added. SVP Rana Sikandar Azam said that this study report should also contain the potential hazards and hoped that these would be included in the next addition of this book. He also thanked the participants for attending this meeting and making it a total success.
VP Ahmed Hassan said that he had been trying his optimum best to publish a reliable, comprehensive and transparent study on CPEC which is going to change the economic face of Pakistan. He said that despite of his best efforts some ambiguities are still polluting the minds of Pakistani investors and he will continue his efforts to remove these ambiguities. “In this connection a comprehensive questionnaire has been prepared and distributed among the concerned quartersâ€< he said and added that he was optimistic that these apprehensions linked with the CPEC would be readdressed very soon and the same would be added in the next edition of this study report. He also assured that the R&D section would be further strengthening to continuously analyze the economic issues and circulate its findings to its 5000 members with a single click. However, he thanked president, SVP and Executive committee for extending full support and cooperation in materializing the objective of making FCCI a most convincing advocacy and information based platform of the business community.
Dr. Khurram Tariq former central chairman Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz and Muzammil Sultan also addressed the function and presented viable suggestions to improve the overall performance of FCCI.
