MARDAN (Khursheed Wahab): Newly elected President of the Mardan Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry, Dr Yousaf Jamal, has pledged to prioritise traders’ welfare, resolve business-related issues and promote commercial and industrial activities to strengthen the local economy.
Speaking to media representatives, Dr Yousaf Jamal said the confidence placed in him by Haji Ehsanullah Bacha, founder of the Mardan Small Chamber; Group Leader Rizwan Khan; Sarafa Association President Ghulam Hussain; former president Taj Muhammad; Rahmat Gul; and the wider trader community was a great honour. He vowed to make every effort to meet their expectations.
He also appreciated Secretary General Mukarram Shah for his role in facilitating traders and improving services through the chamber.
Dr Yousaf described the business community as a backbone of the national economy and urged the government to address traders’ difficulties and provide relief to businesses across all sectors. He also called on traders to strengthen unity, safeguard their legitimate rights and work collectively to overcome challenges affecting commercial activities.
Chamber to Promote Trade, Industry and Agriculture
The chamber president said the organisation would go beyond highlighting traders’ problems and serve as an effective platform for advancing trade, industry and agriculture.
He announced plans to organise programmes, seminars and exhibitions to familiarise traders, industrialists and farmers with modern business opportunities, emerging technologies, market trends and investment prospects.
Specialised expos and exhibitions would focus on key sectors, including solar energy, furniture, marble and agricultural products. These initiatives, he said, would help strengthen local businesses and provide opportunities for products manufactured in Mardan to access national and international markets.
Dr Yousaf noted that Mardan had considerable potential in these sectors. With effective planning and modern technology, they could become important contributors to economic growth, investment and employment generation.
He added that exhibitions and business-focused activities would enable local entrepreneurs to explore new markets, attract investors and create job opportunities, particularly for young people.
The chamber, he reaffirmed, would continue working to resolve traders’ concerns, strengthen local industries and expand commercial activity. He stressed that effective coordination between the government and the business community was essential for sustainable economic development.
Dr Yousaf Highlights Pakistan-China Economic Cooperation
Speaking about Pakistan-China relations, Dr Yousaf Jamal described the two countries’ friendship as longstanding, time-tested and exemplary.
He said Pakistan and China had supported each other through difficult periods and emphasised the importance of expanding bilateral economic, commercial and industrial cooperation.
Stronger trade relations, he noted, could benefit both economies by creating opportunities for investment, regional development and prosperity. He added that the relationship extended beyond government-level ties and was rooted in mutual respect, affection and brotherhood between the two peoples.
On the occasion of China’s National Day, Dr Yousaf extended his congratulations and best wishes to the Chinese government and people. He expressed hope that bilateral friendship and economic cooperation would continue to strengthen in the years ahead.