Steps being taken to focus on development of erstwhile FATA to bring it at par with other areas of country: President Alvi

ISLAMABAD, April 11 (SABAH): President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that steps are being taken to focus on the development of erstwhile FATA to bring it at par with other areas of the country. He urged the need to facilitate and provide a congenial business and investment environment to the business community of the newly merged districts for the enhancement of trade and business activities in the country. He said that despite limited resources and a global financial crunch, Pakistan provided maximum relief to the business community and vulnerable segments of society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Dr. Arif Alvi expressed these views while talking to a delegation of the Bajaur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), that called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday. President BCCI, Lali Shah, Vice-President BCCI, Miraj Uddin Khan, and executive members of BCCI, attended the meeting.

The delegation apprised the President of the problems being faced by the trader and business community of district Bajaur. It was informed that the business community of Bajaur was facing difficulties in getting loans from commercial banks. They also highlighted the need to open trading points with Afghanistan to enhance bilateral trade with neighbouring countries.

Addressing the meeting, the President said that the business community needed to benefit from the loans being offered by the Government, adding that young entrepreneurs can avail business loans on easy terms and conditions to establish their businesses. He also encouraged the businessmen to adopt modern business practices which would help increase the outreach of their businesses, besides contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. The President also asked the trader community to help encourage the youth of Bajaur to benefit from the digiskills program of online skill development initiated by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication.

The President assured the delegation to convey their issues to the concerned departments for redressal.