By: Mawaiz Khan Akash
BM. Being a Vice President how do you cope with the responsibilities of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry?
Ans: Well, I am not my own its all because of the leadership that trusted in me and brought me at this respectable post. As far as my own responsibilities are concerned I overcomed the KCCI expenses including account which was one of the major issue. I, under the supervision of Jawed Bilwani saved many checque from being misused.

BM. What is the role of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry towards business community?
Ans: Recently the main issue is of the federation that is already into your knowledge. Siraj Kassam Teli leader of business community wrote a letter to the president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari in which 32 associations were mentioned working under federation, have been allotted license for which they don't deserve. Circumstantially I belong to Pakistan Iron Steel Merchant Association, which is a drawing room association.
It is worth mentioned here that Akber Abdullah has been shouldered the responsibilities as a chairman of the association for which he doesn't merely have any concerned. Additionally he has been provided a forged certificate. Whenever we visit the office find it closed. As a matter of fact we have problems and issues regarding with Steel ITP, Customs and port clearance etc. Let me underline the role of KCCI that after bringing under great discussion the issue and problems with Iron Steel resolved them at its first priority. KCCI, apart this, is facilitating the people with removal according to section 1981, provisional assistant and still is underlining ITP's issues on daily bases.

BM. What is your concern over the power shortage in Karachi?
Ans: Every month Karachi witnesses a loss of billion of rupees due to 34 - 40% line loss of electricity. If we overcome the line losses evenly 20% then loss goes to equal neither profit nor loss. Now the solution is the power cable should be underground in order to save line loss. This would add at 10% in electricity. Unfortunately, the crude oil was not properly benefited to produce electricity on priority bases that's why it is hurting the business community.

BM. How are you facilitating the businesses community with research and books or by any other means?
Ans: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry is playing a leading role in the industrial affairs. In chamber there is a memorandum article of association, which claims to protect the rights of its members. If any department either the Govt or semi Govt or any private, is harassing the members of ours, then we protect their industry, trade and rights as well. Apart this we have RND (Research and Development) department, which provides a complete research of the whole world to members. It further investigates that, which industry and trade in the world how and why is progressing. After completing this process our staff make an authentic report of research and circulate to the chamber's members. Needless to say that for many years we facilitate our members with different kinds of Libraries including Books, digital and electronic libraries as well. If any of our members need government's document, notifications or tariff books, we provide them without any delay so that they could get awareness of business activities as soon as possible.

BM. Tell me the numbers of member of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry and their procedures of gaining membership?
Ans: There are more than 16300 members amusing with facilities offered by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Every year our members who don't renew their membership as a result their membership lapse after three years. There are some rules & regulations here in Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry if they are not followed then the membership goes waste and for being a voter you have wait for three years.

BM. How do you support the policies of Mr. Rauf Siddiqui (Minister for Industries and Commerce (Sindh) regarding the business?
Ans: Undoubtedly, he is a man of word and is too much co-operative. One of his remarkable qualities is that I observed when a businessman puts his problems in front of him at the spot he tries his level best to solve them. But alone he can't do anything if the whole political scenario doesn't back him up.

BM. How do you comment about commercial consulate of Pakistan in other countries?
Ans: Actually the commercial consulate plays a pivotal role in grooming and boosting the trade or export of one's country. Unfortunately, there is no positive result of Pakistan commercial consulate in the world. There are multi reasons, for example, if we appoint a commercial consulate in China, firstly he/she doesn't know Chinese and can't fully acclimatize to the environment. Secondly, it takes him/her at one year in searching the market and in the rest of one and an half year he/she can't play any positive role. In our brain Storm session in which it was demanded of the government that all the leaders should appoint have appointed commercial consulate on strict merit of professionalism termed the commercial consulate as a professional.

BM. Would you like to convey any message through our magazine Business Monitor?
Ans: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry is playing a leading in visa recommendation, exports and R & D department. The members should know their rights while coming regularly to Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry at their first priority let us what are their problems.      mawaiz.khan@businessmonitorpk.com