MULTAN, Oct 01 (APP): Newly-elected Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Dr Shafiq Patafi has announced a 100-day action plan focused on digitising chamber services, supporting SMEs and strengthening business facilitation.
Addressing the chamber’s 67th Annual General Meeting after assuming office, Dr Patafi said the new leadership had been elected through a formal electoral process and enjoyed the confidence of members, making its mandate both an honour and a responsibility.
He said voter turnout of nearly 96 per cent in the corporate class and 89 per cent in the associate class reflected the business community’s engagement with the chamber.
Dr Patafi said the election manifesto would serve as the leadership’s roadmap, with gradual digitisation of membership services, the chamber’s website and mobile application planned to provide easier access to documents, including visa letters and certificates of origin.
He identified development of the Multan Industrial Estate and Multan Expo Centre as key long-term objectives, while pledging greater support for SMEs, facilitation in banking and letter-of-credit matters and stronger coordination with other chambers and trade bodies.
He also called for greater participation of youth and women in chamber activities and economic development, saying political and group differences arising during the election had ended and the business community should now work collectively.
Dr Patafi appreciated the services of outgoing president Mian Bakhtawar Tanvir Sheikh and his team, saying the chamber would continue their positive traditions.
Mian Bakhtawar Tanvir Sheikh said the chamber had focused during his two-year tenure on identifying business issues, pursuing their resolution with relevant institutions, promoting ease of doing business and increasing the participation of SMEs, youth and women.
The election commission formally announced the results, after which Dr Shafiq Patafi, Senior Vice President Azhar Mumtaz Tipu and Vice President Sheikh Abdul Wahab assumed their respective offices.
Senior business leaders, including Mian Faisal Mukhtar, Mian Tanvir A Sheikh and Khawaja Muhammad Yousaf, along with executive committee members and representatives of the business community, attended the AGM.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
