KARACHI: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on Saturday agreed to enhance coordination through regular interaction and structured engagement to address issues faced by the business community.
The understanding was reached at a meeting held at the KCCI, where an FCCI delegation led by President Farooq Yousuf Sheikh, along with Senior Vice President Naveed Akram Sheikh and Vice President Engr Asim Munir, held discussions with KCCI office-bearers, including President Muhammad Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Vice President Arif Lakhani and members of the executive committee.
Both sides said the current economic environment required closer coordination, regular engagement and continued exchange of views among chambers to ensure that business concerns are effectively articulated.
It was agreed that engagement would not be limited to occasional events, with both chambers committing to remain in contact through regular meetings, reciprocal visits and ongoing consultations. They said this approach would help identify emerging issues, develop consensus-based recommendations and coordinate engagement with policymakers.
During the meeting, participants discussed key economic challenges, including the high cost of energy, particularly electricity and gas tariffs, which they said continue to affect industrial competitiveness and exports.
They also pointed to budget-related anomalies, calling for tax rationalisation, procedural simplification and business-friendly policies in the upcoming federal budget to support economic activity and improve investor confidence.
KCCI President Muhammad Rehan Hanif said businesses across the country face similar challenges that require a coordinated response, adding that stronger ties between major chambers would improve advocacy at the national level.
FCCI President Farooq Yousuf Sheikh emphasised the importance of sustained institutional collaboration and invited the KCCI president to visit the Faisalabad Chamber, an invitation that was accepted.
