Rawalpindi: Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said on Monday the food sector played an important role in the national economy and job creation, assuring that issues raised by stakeholders would be taken up at relevant forums and positive proposals considered during policy formulation.
The minister gave the assurance while meeting a delegation of the Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association led by its Patron-in-Chief Chaudhry Muhammad Naeem, Chairman Mumtaz Ahmed and President Muhammad Farooq Chaudhry.
During the meeting, the delegation briefed the minister on challenges facing the food business, including a lack of policy coordination among departments, a complex licensing system and rising operational costs.
They said the issues were adversely affecting businesses and posing risks to employment opportunities linked to the sector.
The delegation urged the government to include representatives of the food sector in the policy-making process so that practical and workable policies could be framed in line with ground realities.
They said consultation with the food industry would not only help address existing problems but also support the government in achieving its economic objectives more effectively.
The minister said the government was aware of the difficulties faced by the business community and reiterated that the food sector’s concerns would be addressed through consultation at appropriate forums.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegation thanked the minister and expressed hope that cooperation between the government and the food sector would lead to early resolution of the issues.