PESHAWAR: Muhammad Ishaq, President, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), has reiterated his firm resolve to raising issues being faced by small factories in a befitting manner.
He asked the federal, provincial governments and relevant authorities to sort out problems being faced by small manufacturers to avert closure of industries, adding that small industries have an important role in boosting national economy, which is also a great source of employment generation.
The SCCI chief was talking with a delegation of the Small Industrial Estate (SIE) Association Kohat Road Peshawar here at the chamber’s house on Thursday.
The association delegation, led by its president Waheed Arif Awan, came to the chamber to formally congratulate Muhammad Ishaq on being elected as SCCI president for the next term.
SIE Association delegation was comprised on former president SCCI Engr Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz, former senior vice president Imran Khan Mohmand, member of SCCI’s executive body Lala Badshah, association members Nazeef, Shahhkar Awan, Kiramat Adnan, Sher Muhammad, Asadullah, Dr Nasir, Haji Khalid, Mohibur Rehman and Malik Ishtiaq.
Ejaz Khan Afridi, the SCCI’s senior vice president also present in the meeting.
Arif Awan apprised the president M Ishaq about issues of small factories owners, who have established their units in Small Industrial Estate Kohat Road Peshawar in which illegal export of plastic, slipper scrap from K-P to Afghanistan, hours-long electricity suspension without issuance of permit, collection of property tax, serving illegal noticed by provincial labour department along low gas pressure and others allied problems were included.
Reacting to reservations and problems of small factory owners, Ishaq said the issues pertaining to illegal export of plastic, slipper scrap from K-P to Afghanistan and property tax had already been taken up by provincial and federal authorities. He expressed hope afore-stated problems would be resolved instantly.
Besides, taking up issues with relevant government authorities, he suggested that legal means should also be opted for amicable resolution of those issues and prompt relief to traders’ community.
Ishaq remarked industrial estates are already paying multiple taxes. He, therefore, showed a complete opposition regarding collection of property tax from the estates, which should be ended forthwith.
He disclosed a meeting would be soon held with Director Afghan Transit Trade in which the issue of export of plastic, slipper scarp from K-P to Afghanistan would be discussed, and assured the issue would be resolved once for all.
Earlier in a separate meeting, former president SCCI Adeel Rauf and a senior member of the chamber Aftab Hayat also met with President Muhammad Ishaq and formally congratulated him for taking charge of his office.
