Faisalabad: Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh has welcomed the decision of goods transporters to defer their strike and described it as a positive development for industry and exports.
In a statement here on Monday, he urged the government and transporters to use the opportunity to reach a permanent settlement to ensure uninterrupted movement of industrial raw materials and finished goods.
He said that restoration of normal transportation operations would help industries rebuild their supply chains and enable exporters to resume shipments with great confidence.
The continuity and stability in the logistics system were imperative for securing new international orders and meeting delivery commitments, he added.
The FCCI President said that the nine-day strike had disrupted the supply of imported raw materials particularly for export-oriented industries and its impact would take several weeks to overcome. Similarly, the containers held up for movement to ports would require an estimated two to three weeks to return to normal circulation, he added.
He, however, expressed optimism that deferment of the strike could provide sufficient space for meaningful negotiations between the government and transporters and pave way for a durable resolution of their outstanding issues.
He stressed that a permanent understanding between the two sides would not only facilitate the speedy restoration of disrupted supply chains but also strengthen business confidence and enable exporters to plan their international shipments without uncertainty.
He said that exports were a vital pillar of the national economy and Pakistan needed an uninterrupted and reliable transportation network to expand its presence in international markets.
A stable logistics system would allow exporters to accept more foreign orders and ensure their timely delivery, he added.
The FCCI Chief urged the government and goods transporters to resolve their differences through dialogue and mutual understanding. Both sides should avoid any situation that could again disrupt industrial activity and export consignments, he added.
He said that current global economic environment demanded collective responsibility and prudent decisions to protect the country’s economic interests.
The government and transport sector should keep the broader national interest at the forefront while addressing legitimate concerns of all stakeholders, he added.
Farooq Yousaf Sheikh expressed hope that the latest development would mark the beginning of a constructive engagement between the two sides and lead to a permanent mechanism for resolving transport-related issues.
A stable and predictable transportation system would provide industry and exporters with the confidence needed to expand business, strengthen Pakistan’s exports and contribute more effectively to economic growth, he added.
