RAWALPINDI (March 08 2004): Export trophy function will be arranged to encourage industrialists, exporters and traders of the area to step up activities in order to strengthen the country's economy, said Hussain Ahmed Ozgen, President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Saturday.

"We want to make all-out efforts to make this region an export zone, which would play effective role in increasing exports of the country," he said while addressing a meeting of the executive committee of the chamber attended by Jawed Bhatti, senior vice president, Fazalur Rehman, vice president and other members.

Ozgen said that Rawalpindi is an important area keeping in view its close links with most important zones of the region including Central Asia, Afghanistan and China. "Being traders, exporters and industrialists of the Rawalpindi region, we have responsibilities to make all possible links with these areas and enhance the trade and other relations with the Central Asia, Afghanistan and China", he said.

About export trophy, he said that the function would be held in the third week of this month and Finance Minister would be chief guest. He said that this function would be a morale booster for the exporters of the region and would help in increasing the exports of the country.

He called upon industrialists of the region to make sure improvement in quality of the products besides productivity.

RCCI executive committee expressed concern over constant increase in the prices of essential commodities and called upon the government to formulate a sustainable policy to bring the prices under control.

The meeting also reviewed the problems the poultry industry is facing and called upon the government to give poultry industry tax relief.

The Chamber is holding 5th Industrial Fair in April and all members should take active part in making the show a success.

Courtesy Business Recorder