By Farzana Chaudhry — Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The PIAF-led Progressive-BNF Alliance is gaining further momentum ahead of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) elections, with more industrial groups and trade associations extending their support to the alliance led by PIAF Patron-in-Chief and PPB Alliance Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar.

The growing backing from industrial and commercial organisations is strengthening the alliance’s position ahead of the chamber polls and reflects increasing interest among different segments of Lahore’s business community in a united platform.

Representatives of various industrial associations and trade bodies have expressed confidence in the PIAF-led alliance and its leadership, saying the business community needs strong and effective representation to raise its concerns before the government and relevant institutions.

The Ferozepur Road Industrial Association is among the industrial organisations supporting the PIAF-led Progressive-BNF Alliance for the upcoming LCCI elections.

Mian Anjum Nisar welcomed the support of industrial and trade bodies, saying the participation of different business sectors was encouraging and demonstrated confidence in the alliance’s leadership.

He said industrialists and traders were facing common challenges and needed a strong chamber platform capable of effectively presenting their concerns before policymakers and government institutions.

He identified the major challenges facing businesses as the high cost of doing business, expensive electricity and gas, taxation difficulties, regulatory hurdles, declining industrial competitiveness and challenges confronting exporters.

PIAF Chairman and LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol said the growing support from industrial and trade organisations reflected the business community’s confidence in a platform committed to promoting trade, industry and investment.

Saigol said affordable energy, policy continuity, ease of doing business and a competitive business environment were essential for industrial expansion and export growth. He added that the private sector needed greater facilitation to increase investment, production and employment.

PIAF Senior Vice Chairman Nasrullah Mughal said the increasing participation of industrial and trade associations was a clear indication that the business community wanted unity and effective representation at the LCCI.

PIAF Vice Chairman Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry said the support of industrial and trade organisations would further strengthen the alliance and enable it to present a more representative voice for Lahore’s business community.

He said reducing the cost of doing business and creating a predictable policy environment were essential for encouraging investment and expanding industrial activity.

Mian Anjum Nisar said the PIAF-led Progressive-BNF Alliance would continue consultations with industrial associations, trade bodies, market organisations and other stakeholders to build a broader consensus on the priorities and key economic concerns of Lahore’s business community.