The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) has outlined an agenda focused on increasing the city’s role in economic policymaking, expanding digital operations and supporting industrial and business development. Newly elected FCCI President Arif Ehsan Malik said the chamber would work on a range of initiatives covering textiles, technology, small and medium-sized enterprises, agricultural value addition, startup financing and infrastructure.
Speaking at the FCCI Annual General Meeting, Malik said efforts would be accelerated to strengthen Faisalabad’s practical participation in policymaking. He also outlined plans to fully digitalise the chamber, improve the performance of its standing committees and develop Faisalabad as a textile circular city. Other proposals include establishing a Special Technology Zone, commercialising university research, launching venture capital funding for startups, organising corporate social responsibility activities, applying artificial intelligence to industrial problems and establishing the Faisalabad Expo Centre.
Malik said Pakistan has a population of around 250 million and an economy valued at approximately $420 billion, while its geographical position provides access to the Middle East, Central Asian states, the Arabian Sea and China. He noted that although Faisalabad has traditionally been associated with textiles, Pakistan’s industrial base is expanding into other sectors. He also pointed to the country’s young population and development challenges, including unemployment and the number of children outside the education system, arguing that coordinated efforts were required to support economic development.
The new FCCI president said his agenda would include addressing the immediate concerns of the business community as well as pursuing longer-term objectives. He said he was aware of difficulties faced by small and medium-sized enterprises and traders and would work on issues associated with SRO 1109. He also said the chamber would maintain engagement with the city administration to improve basic infrastructure and address difficulties faced by traders operating in the downtown area.
At the federal level, Malik described the condition of industries as a major concern and called for measures aimed at industrial revival. He questioned the delays faced by exporters when containers remain at ports for extended periods, saying that the causes of such delays should be identified and addressed through practical measures and appropriate policymaking. He also proposed seminars to increase awareness among members of the business community and said the chamber would work towards developing a broader economic vision.
Malik highlighted sectors that he said could provide opportunities for future industrial development, including food processing, defence manufacturing, healthcare and energy storage. Referring to a study by the American Economic Association, he said Pakistan should consider developing industries in these areas along with the associated vendor industries. His comments also included a focus on export-led growth, with duty rationalisation identified as one of the requirements for improving the competitiveness of Pakistani products.
The textile industry featured prominently in his policy proposals. Malik said cotton currently accounts for around 20% of the raw material used by Pakistan’s textile sector, while man-made fibres account for approximately 80%. He called for the removal of import duties on man-made fibres, arguing that lower input costs could support exports of textile products manufactured from these materials. He also highlighted Pakistan’s limited participation in the estimated $300 billion technical textiles market and called for the removal of a 20% anti-dumping duty on raw materials used by the sector.
Trade agreements and market access were another area highlighted by the FCCI president. Malik referred to what he described as an emerging trading bloc involving around 20 countries, including China, and said he had asked Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal to provide feedback so that Pakistan could assess potential opportunities for trade and the wider economy. He also pointed to trade opportunities with Türkiye and East Africa, while calling for tariff barriers to be addressed.
The SME sector was also included in the proposed agenda. Malik said SMEs contribute around 30% of exports but argued that financing intended for the sector was not reaching businesses in the required manner. He said efforts would be made to facilitate financing for SMEs through the Export-Import Bank of Pakistan.
The AGM also marked the conclusion of outgoing FCCI President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh’s tenure. Sheikh presented an account of his performance during the previous year, while a documentary covering his achievements was screened for attendees. He attributed the progress made during his term to the support of his family, chamber leadership, team members and executives.
Group Head Mian Muhammad Idrees appreciated the performance of the outgoing office-bearers and executives and assured the incoming leadership of his cooperation. He also recognised the contribution of the chamber’s staff. Idrees said an additional floor would be added to the existing chamber building and that a boundary wall would be constructed around the chamber’s five-acre plot at FEDMIC. A study would also be undertaken for a state-of-the-art building at the site.
Group Leader Mian Javed Iqbal said leadership changes at the chamber traditionally bring new projects and priorities. He also called for changes in the leadership of standing committees, noting that the committees are intended to advise the president and that changes could introduce different ideas and approaches.
Members of the Election Commission, Muzammil Sultan, Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz and Atif Munir Sheikh, formally announced the newly elected office-bearers and executives. They said the elections had been conducted transparently and impartially. The AGM was attended by outgoing Senior Vice President Naveed Akram Sheikh, Vice President Engineer Asim Munir, newly elected Senior Vice President Mian Muhammad Saeed, Vice President Muhammad Yasin and former FCCI presidents. The meeting also completed its routine agenda, with shields distributed to individuals recognised for their performance during the previous year.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.