Karachi: FPCCI emphasised that government policies should protect, emancipate and enable cottage industry as it employs 10 million people in country-bridging massive employment gap left out by other sectors and industries.

FPCCI’s Standing Committee on Cottage Industry organised high-profile meeting on burning issues of cottage industry; which was well-attended and well-represented from across Sindh province.

Irfan Iqbal Sheikh Chief FPCCI informed that World Bank research shows that MSMEs generate 50 percent of all employment in world and they are involved in 90 percent of all economic activities. Cottage industry is particularly important for Pakistan as country is in dire need to alleviate poverty in rural areas and, we cannot bring entire workforce to urban centres and cottage industry is answer to that dilemma.

Shabbir Mansha VP FPCCI stressed small traders need to have their chambers in every city and every district in length and breadth of country, for example, women entrepreneurs have successfully established their chambers in 5 districts of Karachi.

Naeem Mir Chairman of Supreme Council of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran said that to resolve issues of small traders, steps including establishing their own chambers across Pakistan, small traders should be encouraged to become active tax filers, authorities should revise definition of SMEs and lower limit of Rs 2 million should be abolished and all small businesses should be included.

Abdul Rehman Khan Convener of FPCCI’s Standing Committee on Cottage Industry maintained that world has moved from SMEs classification to MSMEs; which is Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and includes all small businesses irrespective of their size, turnover and number of employees.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 03 2023

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