ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A delegation of the Peshawar Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (PCSTI) held a meeting with the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Commerce & Investment Abdul Razak Dawood in Islamabad on Friday.
The Office Bearers and Representatives of the PCSTI briefed the advisor on their activities and their plans for support and development of the SME Sector.
The basic issues highlighted by the Chamber related to having a representation in policy-making for the SME Sector and across the board implementation and enforcement of tax regime within the provincial areas as well as within the merged areas of FATA.
It was stated that disparities in the tax laws and non-enforcement of the Sales tax regime encourage disparities between tax filers and non-filers which needs to be removed.
While appreciating the efforts of the government of Pakistan towards anti-smuggling, the desire to enforce IPR enforcement all across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), as well as Pakistan, was endorsed.
The issues relating to packaging and labeling requirements as well as enforcement of regulatory requirements that the FMCG Sector for both MNCs and local corporations/companies was also discussed.
The Chamber also requested the advisor to support their efforts for the provision of free land so that the Chamber can set up its offices in Peshawar and also set up incubation and training centers for SME development in Peshawar, which can cater to the demand of KPK province.
While appreciating the inputs of the Peshawar Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry, the advisor reiterated the desire of the government to support the SME Sector and facilitating their ease of doing business in Pakistan.
Their proposals for documentation of the economy were appreciated and the PCSTI representatives were briefed on the initiatives that are being taken by the government on the subject.
