FPCCI REGIONAL STANDING COMMITTEE PROPOSES ROADMAP FOR PROGRESS

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Regional Standing Committee on Jewellers & Retailers held its maiden meeting recently to discuss the road map for the next year.

Convener of the committee Muhammad Ahmad chaired the meeting with FPCCI Lahore office coordinator Muhammad Ali Mian graced the occasion as special guest.

Muhammad Ahmad speaking on this occasion appreciated FPCCI leadership for the opportunity and restoring their confidence for catering business community, and those are engaged in Gold jewelry manufacturers and retailers. He said gold manufacturers and retailers are experiencing several issues with regard to withholding tax and other sales tax as well. Main purpose of the standing committee is to organize this committee is to highlight pressing issues to the concerned departments and higher authorities. Gold prices are inflated hence customer inflow has been dropped. In order to remain in the market and compete with international stock exchange we should use less Karat Gold (14K -18K) like other European Countries to promote less expensive and modern Jewllery designs and conventional trends in fashion, he added.

Others who attended the meeting are Rana Nadeem Aleem, Deputy Convener Committee, Seth Muhammad Arshad, Haji Shafi Ahmed, M. Qaiser Rasheed, Ramzan Khan, M. Imran Rasheed, M. Shahid Mahmood, Rana Aamir Mahmood, Rana Aijaz Ahmed, Rana Muzaffar Ali, Seth Muhammad Khalil, Haji Muhammad Hanif, Syed Qaiser Abbas Naqvi, Ahsan Sarwar Khan and Dr Ejaz Sandhu.

Convener of the committee proposed events and plans as road map for the committee which included promoting 14K – 18K Gold Jewelry, arrangements of Branding & Marketing training workshops via social media and print media. Additionally also arranging Exhibition of 14 K -18 K Jewelry to create awareness and exposure to adopt international choices for the jewelry. He also called for arranging delegation to explore Gem & Jewelry across the world especially in neighbor countries due to similar cultural values and customs.

It is also discussed in the meeting that Pakistani jewelry and precious stones should be advertised globally as made in Pakistan for the future of fashion industry.

The meeting observed that the Government intervention on controlling harassments by the local police in the name of robbed/ stolen jewelry items sold to the local shops is uncalled for. Imposed taxation should be simple and applicable considering our nature of business.

Muhammad Ali Mian, FPCCI Coordinator Regional Office Lahore welcomed all committee members and appreciated their representation of this business sector.