DECLARATION (Bhurban Declaration)

by The Presidents of All Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry Adopted in 2nd All Pakistan Presidents Conference Bhurban, Murree We, the Presidents of All Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry Gathered on 1st & 2nd March 2010, in Bhurban, on the occasion of 2nd All Pakistan Chambers Conference convened by The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(This Conference was Technically & Financially facilitated by Center for International Private Enterprise)

Considering the importance of unity and cooperation between the Chambers for nation building in particular and furtherance the cause of all trade bodies in the country. Identifying and Analyzing issues directly or indirectly confronted and crystallizing possible solutions for implementation actions by the Chambers and the Government of Pakistan with its Ministries/attached departments. Committing to strengthen the business cult on grounds of liberalization and facilitation with a view to make Pakistan a strong sovereign welfare state. Supporting the new business ideas and joint initiatives as part of private public partnership. Jointly declare that the following steps should be taken for the economic uptake of the country, known as ECONOMIC UPDATE ROAD MAP. Raise unified Voice of Business Community in the larger interest. Commercial Consular from Commerce Trade Group be appointed. Budget should only be formulated through consensus from business community Effective and mandatory Private Sector representation in all government authorities/board/committees related to business. Export refinance rate to be equal to LIBOR. Incentives for expatriate Pakistanis to increase foreign exchange remittances to reduce dependence on foreign borrowings Reduce non-development expenditures via improved governance mechanism. Effective Energy Conservation / Management based on relevant international standards. Energy projects based on comparative advantage. Recognize and encourage women leadership in policy development.

Establish and promote technical institutions for youth in all districts. All transit trade agreements should be prepared in consultation with chambers. Parallel trade / smuggling should be plugged by all concerned agencies. Good governance and institutional building be installed at all levels. Water management strategy should be prepared on a priority basis. Inter provincial harmony and elimination of disparity at all cost. Chambers will ensure implementation of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The business community of Pakistan should immediately help the flood affectees of Attabad and Hunza Nagar in Gilgit Baltistan where more then 50,000 people are facing acute shortage of food and other commodities.

(Kashif Shabbir) (Sheikh Muhammad Siddique) President CSR Chairman The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry

(Rasheed Uddin Rashid) (Faisal Iqbal Sheikh), Senior Vice President Vice President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry
(Yaqoob H. Karim) President Lesbela Chamber of Commerce & Industry & Industry (Samina Fazil) President Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce & & Industry Industry (Javed Hussain) President Gilgit Baltistan Chamber of Commerce

(Mr. Abdul Qayyum) President The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce

(Mr. Muhammad Ishaq Butt) (Mr. Muzaffar Saleem) President Vice President The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry Rahim Yar Khan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Mr. Riaz Ahmed) President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Malik Khawar Shahzad) President

Industry (Mian Tariq Yaqoob) President

Jhelum Chamber of Commerce &

(Idrees Ahmed Sheikh) President

Sargodha Chamber of Commerce & Industry Industry

D G K Chamber of Commerce &

(Muhammad Akbar Khan) (Sajjad Ashraf Khan) President President Tribal Areas Chamber of Commerce & Industry Haripur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (N.W.F.P) (Abrar Saeed Sheikh) Senior Vice President The Gujrat Chamber of Commerce & Industry No. March 01, 2010

Minutes of the Conference Presidents Chambers of Commerce & Industry Organized by The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry Date and Time Venue : Participants : : 1st & 2nd March 2010 at 11:30 AM PC Hotel, Bhurban, Murree Mr. Kashif Shabbir President RCCI Mr. S. Ali Raza Saeed Shah SVP, RCCI Khawaja Abdul Rashid Waien VP Syed Asad Haider Mashadi Former President RCCI Mr. Moin Fudda CIPE Mr. Hammad Siddiqui CIPE Sheikh Muhammad Siddique CSR Chairman, FPCCI Mr. Tariq Shafi FPCCI Dr. Yousufhani Sajid Director of Punjab Board Commerce &

Investment

of

Mr. Kamran Saeed Department Mrs. Samina Fazil Chamber Mr. Abdul Qayyum Mr. Muhammad Ishaq Butt Mr. Muzaffar Saleem Mr. Riaz Ahmed Mr. Nauman Nazir Malik Niaz Ahmed Malik Khawar Shahzad Mian Tariq Yaqoob Mr. Idrees Ahmed Sheikh Mr. Muhammad Akbar Khan Mr. Sajjad Ashraf Khan

Investment Women

Government of Punjab President Islamabad

President Faisalabad Chamber President Sialkot Chamber Vice President Rahim Yar Khan President Sarhad Chamber Sarhad Chamber Sarhad Chamber President Jhelum Chamber President Sargodha Chamber President DGK Chamber President Tribal Areas Chamber President Haripur Chamber

Chamber

Mr. Rasheed Uddin Rashid Chamber Chamber Chamber Mr. Abrar Saeed Sheikh Mr. Faisal Iqbal Sheikh

Senior

Vice

President

Karachi

Senior Vice President Gujrat Vice President Lahore

Mr. Muhammad Iftikhar-ud-Din Secretary General RCCI Mr. Liaquat Ali Ansari Secretary General Islamabad Women
Chamber

Introduction Mr. Kashif Shabbir, President, The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry started the session with the presentation of agenda and formal introduction of participants. Syed Asad Haider Mashadi Briefed the session with the first President Conference of 26 May 2009 held at PC Hotel Rawalpindi. Stated that problems of today are similar to previous year.

Mr. Moin Fudda Briefed the activities of CIPE in Pakistan.

He highlighted the issues of acute water shortage and lack of reservoirs in Pakistan, which is likely to aggravate in the future years He stressed the necessity of technical training and development of technical Institutes in Pakistan

Sheikh Muhammad Siddique Enumerated the problem of population increase in the country. He invited all Chambers President for next Presidents Conference to be hosted by FPCCI, Karachi in April 2010. Emphasized on product diversification. Area wise strengthen may be identified. Emphasized the importance of energy, food and health care

Mr. Rasheed Uddin Rashid, Senior President Karachi Chamber Discussed the old water system of Sindh canals and reservoirs, which requires immediate replacement and research.

Misuse of water may be restricted and water-recycling plants are required to be installed by private sector. Cement Industry may be flourished. A joint fund may be developed by the Chamber for youth development. Emphasized on conserving energy and focus on manpower development

Mr. Ibrar Saeed Sheikh, Senior Vice President Gujrat Chamber Hondi System may be checked and restricted. Incentive may be given on money transfer to Pakistan to restrict the illegal transfer of money. Foreign remittances will reserve us from IMF/World Bank

Mr. Riaz Ahmed, President Sarhad Chamber Energy crises requires immediate attention Existing Technology of electricity production in Dams needs improvement Bunji & Dasu can improve situation. Private sector may be involved in small-scale electricity production. Bank interest rate requires decrease, as is the phenomenon the World over. Ease of doing business in Pakistan must be reviewed as Pakistan falls on 87 th number in the World. Regional disparity must be escalated and restriction on sugar and flour may be abolished

Mr. Abdul Qayyum, President Faisalabad Chamber Textile crises in Faisalabad may be addressed on priority basis Energy crises is the biggest hurdle for textile industry Low markups rates were given by the government in 2003-2004 as a result a lot of machinery was imported. But is 2005-2006 markups were increased suddenly causing great harm to the industry. Gas crises has direct impact in slowing down industry. Productions decreased by 4%. No clear policy by the Government on these crises. Banks are loaning Government to pay off the IMF loans instead of giving loans to industry.

War on terrorist is affecting business community.

Mr. Muhammad Akbar Khan, President Tribal Areas Chamber Criticized the import of Wheat even after being an agriculture country. Hydal power generation from Swat River can produce 25000-megawatt electricity, which must be explored. Gas, Marble, Petrol, Coal, Copper resaves requires exploration. Tourism in FATA areas may be given the status of industry.

Mian Tariq Yaqoob, President Sargodha Chamber National Policies may be stabilized. Long-term policies may be framed.

Mrs. Samina Fazil, President Islamabad Women Chamber Women may be involved in business activities. Businesses Women may be facilitated with more resources. Awareness campaigns may be started at all Chambers.

Dr. Yousufhani Sajid, Director of Punjab Board of Investment Briefed the activities of Punjab Government. Briefed Punjab Chamber Coordination Committee.

Malik Khawar Shahzad, President Jhelum Chamber Businessmen must be given due respect. Nuclear energy may be used for electric power generation. Government failed to provide proper policies. Relief may be given in taxation.

Mr. Sajjad Ashraf Khan, President Haripur Chamber Different rivers may be used for electricity production. Session 2 Open House Discussion Remittances increased.

Export potential is increasing due to recovery from economic recession of the world. Smuggling must be stopped. Labour intensive industries must be introduced in Pakistan, Chambers must work for social sector. Budget may only be approved after recommendation of Chambers. Corruption issues may be addressed. R&D may be strengthened Virgin markets require exploration. Awareness programs may be conducted of water conservation. Industrial load shedding must be stopped Duty structure on Afghan Transit may be received. We may restrict our shopkeepers to close shops in evening. We are facing lack of good governance issues. VAT tax issue must be rejected. A subcommittee may be formulated. One joint press release may be issued once a month. All Chambers must exchange resources to avoid duplication of work. One entity may be given for power generation and supply. Unified Budget Proposals. No Trade Ordinance. Head of Ministry of Commerce. Hydal Power be focused. Chambers be regulated by Company Ordinance and not DGTO. Unity amongst the business community. Alternate for Trade Ordinance may be prepared within 3 months and a subcommittee for this task may be formulated.

First day session ended with the formal vote of thanks from Mr. S. Ali Raza Saeed Shah Senior Vice President of The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.