ISLAMABAD: President ICCI Sardar Tahir Mehmood has reaffirmed the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s unwavering commitment to advocating for a stable, predictable, and business-friendly environment that promotes investment, industrial growth, and job creation.
He expressed these views while talking to an eleven-member delegation of the Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers (PALSP) led by its Chairman, Javaid Iqbal, which called on him at the ICCI. The delegation included Patron-in-Chief Abbas Akberali, Vice Chairman Ilyas Aziz Malik, Secretary General Wajid Bukhari, and other senior members. From ICCI, Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub, Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, Council Member Chaudhry Masood, and Executive Member Umair Aziz Malik were also present.
Call for Policy Consistency and National Coordination
President ICCI emphasized that sustainable economic development can only be achieved through consistent policies and close coordination among the government, private sector, and regulatory institutions. He announced that ICCI is planning to organize an “All Chambers Presidents Conclave” in late November or early December to develop a comprehensive working paper, in consultation with major business stakeholders. The document will be presented to the government as a proposal for formulating long-term and growth-oriented economic policies that ensure a level playing field for all industries.
He assured that ICCI will continue to act as a strong voice of the business community and will work closely with industry associations like PALSP to advocate for reforms that strengthen the industrial base, generate employment, and enhance national economic stability. President ICCI also reiterated the importance of institutional collaboration in shaping policies that reflect ground realities and business needs.
PALSP Raises Concerns Over Policy Instability
During the meeting, PALSP Chairman Javaid Iqbal expressed concerns over the absence of stable and long-term government policies, saying that policy inconsistency and frequent reversals have created uncertainty for investors and compelled many industrialists to move their operations to neighboring countries offering more predictable environments. He stressed the need for clear and supportive industrial policies to safeguard Pakistan’s manufacturing sector.
Steel Industry Warns Against Import Duty Cuts
Patron-in-Chief Abbas Akberali cautioned that the current policy framework and rising cost of doing business could lead to the collapse of the domestic steel industry. He strongly opposed any reduction in import duties on steel products without parallel measures to reduce local production costs, warning that such steps could flood the market with cheap imports, causing plant closures and job losses.
Quality Control and Infrastructure Risks Highlighted
He also voiced alarm over the unchecked production of substandard steel, which, he said, poses a serious threat to national infrastructure and undermines compliant, tax-paying manufacturers. President ICCI acknowledged these concerns and assured continued engagement with stakeholders to address them through policy dialogue and advocacy.
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