Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), said that the construction industry was playing a key role in the economic development of the country besides providing jobs to plenty of people, which was commendable. However, he said that the rising oil, electricity & gas prices and falling value of rupee have pushed up the prices of cement, steel and other construction materials that would affect the construction activities and stall the growth of the construction industry. In this scenario, the dream of the common man to build his own house would never materialize.
ICCI President emphasized that the government should focus on reducing the energy cost to save the construction and other industries from further problems. He assured that ICCI would extend cooperation to the Association in its efforts to address the problems of the construction sector’s business community.
Speaking at the occasion, Sardar Tahir Mahmood, President, Islamabad Estate Agents Association (IEAA), said that due to the PM’s construction package, the construction activities have witnessed significant boost improving the business of all allied industries. However, he said that with the rise in electricity, gas & oil prices and depreciation of rupee, the prices of construction materials were on the rise, which would affect this sector badly. He stressed that the government should pay urgent attention to solve this problem. He vowed that the construction industry would extend all possible cooperation in making the PM’s housing program successful.
Founder Group Chairman Mian Akram Farid thanked the IEAA delegation for visiting ICCI. He said that the best way for Pakistan to get rid of debts and solve the problems of the economy was to focus on promoting industrial activities and exports. He stressed that the government should provide incentives to other industries on the pattern of construction package that would help in promoting industrialization and exports paving the way for the economy to achieve sustainable growth.
ICCI Senior Vice President Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh, Vice President Faheem Khan, Tahir Abbasi, Musarrat Ejaz Khan, Chaudhry Zahid Rafique, Muhammad Naveed Malik, Khalid Chaudhry and others also spoke at the occasion and called upon the government to take strong measures for reducing the cost of doing business for private sector.
