Chamber presidents conference begins
RAWALPINDI (Staff Reporter): The two-day All Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conference (APCPC) began at Murree (Bhurban) on Monday. On the first day, different brainstorming sessions were held. President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Mian Humayun Parvez, in his welcome address, said that RCCI was holding APCPC from the past 7 years aiming to develop a common platform for all chambers and trade association to raise economic issues at national level, providing suggestions/recommendation to the government related to trade policy, business environment and all issues affecting businesses directly or indirectly.
This initiative was important because advocacy is one of the key focuses of chambers across the globe and government without taking trade bodies on board cannot strengthen the private sector, he added.
APCPC has now become a regular annual event where more than 50 presidents from all over the country were participating. A joint declaration statement would be issued today (Tuesday), informed Chamber spokesman.

Traders co-op sought for economic empowerment of BISP families
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) was playing an important role in poverty alleviation by providing financial support to millions of poor families in the country and business community should come forward to cooperate and support under CSR activities for economic empowerment of BISP families. This was stressed by Syed Asif Munir, Director Coordination (Waseela-e-Rozgar), Benazir Income Support Program during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said BISP has identified 5.1 million families living under the poverty line and has setup their database for providing them monthly stipend of Rs.1500 under the BISP CSR program.
He said businessmen could play crucial role in lessening the miseries of targeted BISP families by contributing under CSR activities in the areas of malnutrition, adult literacy and interest free loans.
Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Pervez Ahmed, Senior Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry appreciated the initiatives of BISP aimed at providing social safety net to the poor people of the country.
He said businessmen have always supported the projects and activities aimed at welfare of the underprivileged segments of society and they were ready to cooperate with BISP for uplifting the living standard of poverty stricken families.
He said BISP should share the database of genuine and deserving people with the trade bodies so that business people could partner with BSIP in ameliorating the lives of down-trodden people of the country.

NHA seeks additional Rs6 billion for six road projects
ISLAMABAD (APP): The Communication Division has called for increasing funding for six development projects by Rs 6 billion, an official of Ministry of Communications said Monday. The government allocated Rs 800 million to bridge over the Indus linking the N-5 with N-55 at Nishtar Ghat but the National Highway Authority (NHA) has asked for an increase in allocation by Rs 1.2 billion. The government made an allocation of Rs 300 million for construction of bridge on River Ravi at Syed Wala and now the NHA demanded an increase in allocation by Rs 500 million. Against the existing allocation of Rs 200 million for improvement of 78.2 km Nowshera-Dir-Chitral Road (N-45), the NHA asked for an increase in allocation of Rs 550 million.
He said that the government had made an allocation of Rs 150 million for M-4 Motorway (8km) for widening of road between flyover at double Phattak Chowk Nag Shah at Multan (old Shujabad),but now the NHA has asked for increase in allocation of Rs 650 million.

2,455 trained on modern
fishing techniques
ISLAMABAD (APP): The government has imparted training to around 2,455 fishermen and fisheries related personnel on modern fishing techniques to ensure quality and enhance seafood export. The training was given on different aspects of hygiene, deckhand and navigational electronic equipment with objectives to reduce post-harvest losses onboard fishing vessels and bring high quality products which fetch higher price in market. Sources in Commerce Division on Monday said the govt has taken many steps to enhance seafood products and major amongst them was establishment of a model shrimp farm in Thatta to enhance supply of raw material for seafood industry in Pakistan by Fisheries Development Board.
Moreover, the sources said Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is undertaking various export promotion activities through trade exhibitions and delegations to encourage food sector including value addition of seafood products while Fisheries Development Board under Ministry of National Food Security and Research is providing a platform for enhancing and promoting fisheries sector in Pakistan.

Experts for completing potato cultivation by 31st
FAISALABAD (APP): Agriculture experts have advised growers of irrigated zones to complete cultivation of potato crop by January 31 to get bumper yield. A spokesman for the agriculture extension department said here on Monday that potato was used largely in Pakistan because it was a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, potassium and sodium etc. Farmers should cultivate approved varieties of potato over the maximum space because its production played a pivotal role in meeting food requirements of the people, he said. Among approved varieties of potato include C-919, C-922, C-707, C-2115, C-9041, P-3163, P-3203 and Ghauri, he added.