Businessmen Panel for licence restoration of trade bodies

KARACHI: The Businessmen Panel (BMP) has recommended interim restoration of canceled licenses of some 27 different trade bodies so that they are provided with chance to over come their deficiencies and prove their relevance to the national economy.

BMP Chairman, Mian Anjum Nisar here on Wednesday said the Directorate General of Trade Organisation, under section 7 of the trade organisation act 2013, has only the other day revoked various trade associations and chambers of commerce including women chambers

Terming this action to be unjustified, he said serving one show cause notice can not lead to cancellation of many of these trade bodies that hold track record of service for their community which itself is much needed for upliftment of national economy. “The panel believes that due course of law must prevail,” he said emphasizing that the DGTO office need to extend legitimate time to the concerned trade bodies enabling them to address the deficiencies raised by the regulator.

The BMP Chairman mentioned that most of the affected trade bodies had only recently been issued fresh licenses by Directorate General office of Trade Organization.

In this context, Mian Anjum Nisar suggested that Ministry of Commerce may form a committee to monitor performance of these 27 trade bodies for six months at least. “Licenses of those trade bodies able to satisfy the monitoring committee with their performance and also about their compliance under the trade act 2013 licenses must be restored,” said BMP chairman. He in most categorical terms also recommended that licenses of the trade bodies found non compliant to trade act 2013 and failing to meet required standards can be canceled permanently.

Anjum Nisar said business community and traders have played a vital role in upliftment of the national economy, even in difficult times, and therefore authorities need to extend them full support.

“Voice of commerce chambers and trade bodies holds immense importance at national as well as international levels in the current era of free trade and e-commerce,” said the senior leader of business community.