Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Mian Rashid Iqbal has demanded zero sales tax on the export-oriented industry to help enhance exports and ensure economic stability in the country. Speaking to the media, he stated that the sales tax on the export business should be restored to its previous level in 2019.  While the country's exports should be at least 115 billion dollars annually for economic stability, they are only around 30 billion dollars.

The MCCI president responded to a query concerning the industry's transition to solar energy by saying that the majority of it has already done so and the remaining portion is doing so quickly since Pakistani products suffer from high power costs on foreign markets.Regarding the problems facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), he noted that the SMEs need to be educated and trained, and the chamber is helping in this area. The chamber has also held several educational sessions on soft loans for SMEs through the state bank and other banks.

According to the president of MCCI, a display centre in the area is urgently needed given how much the economy may benefit from it.In response to a question concerning the MCCI's role in providing competent young people with employment prospects in the industry, he said that the chamber holds an annual job fair for young people who are unemployed. Additionally, they asked the vocational training facilities to offer new courses in line with market demands. He said that educational institutions, including vocational centres, need to develop the capacity of their teachers too.

In response to a query on the smog problem, Mian Rashid Iqbal stated that stringent steps are needed to resolve the problem. He cited severe action against smoke-emitting automobiles, the installation of dust catchers in front of boilers in industry, the conversion of brick kilns to zigzag technology, and stubble burning as important initiatives to combat pollution. He said that the MCCI serves as an older sibling for the area's smaller chambers and a combined meeting of all South Punjabi chambers will be held soon to discuss problems and solutions for the business community.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk