First of all, I would like to thank all the members of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry for their vote of confidence and for providing me with an opportunity to lead them from this stately platform.

Being located in the federal capital, ICCI has a great importance and is able to play an effective role for the welfare of the business community. When required ICCI can provide guidance to the government through its recommendations, based on the input of the business community in order to develop more conducive and economic friendly policies. ICCI has a close nexus with the public sector organizations as well as the diplomatic community which creates a great advantage towards developing a strong opinion in the policymaking process of the government. I am glad that my predecessors have played a key role in the professional development of ICCI by taking dynamic initiatives in their respective tenures. I hope to carry forward those initiatives in an incremental manner to strengthen our plans which will yield positive results for all members.

Furthermore, I would like to assure you that by becoming your representative, I and my team would make the utmost efforts to serve the cause of the business community by raising their voice across all the concerned corridors. In fact, during the current economic climate, businessmen need an enabling environment for the sustainability of their businesses and further growth. It would be our prime objective to inform and create awareness amongst the relevant government bodies about the challenges that are being faced by our members and we will channelize all of our efforts to persuade them for creating a more conducive business environment for all the stakeholders.

We would emphasize upon the government bodies to provide a virtuous ecosystem for trade, industry and services sectors so that businesses can contribute more effectively towards the economic development of the country. I believe that the government should provide more focus towards ease of doing business and introduce policy reforms in order to accelerate the pace of industrialization and business activities across the country.

Pakistan is our beloved country which has great potential to rise as an emerging economy and we are ready to contribute further for its economic development and prosperity but at the same time, businesses need the support of the government to flourish in a sustainable manner.

I am pleased to convey that ICCI has developed a modern and user-friendly website along with a mobile application to provide real time updated information to all members. The Chamber will keep updating its website on a regular basis in order to provide enhanced services. I will always appreciate your constant feedback and suggestions which will help us improve these platforms further.

You are our main strength and without your cooperation, it would be hard to raise a strong voice of the business community effectively. I would therefore request you to kindly send me your recommendations for additional business development in the country in addition to the challenges which you are all facing across your respective business sectors. I assure you that I will use all of my resources and experience to approach all the relevant Ministries and government departments in order to protect and promote the interests of all your businesses.

I am sure that with our collective efforts and cooperation, ICCI will play an effective role for the protection and promotion of rights of trade, industry and services sector whilst creating an emphasis on the development of SMEs in order to amplify sustainable economic development within the country.

Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan

President

Being the first lady in the history of ICCI to be elected for this important portfolio, I feel honored to represent the business community from this august forum and assure you of my commitment to make all possible efforts for promoting the business interests of all members. I will also be working proactively on all forums to promote women empowerment. I feel glad that ICCI is making positive efforts to help resolve issues of the business community and facilitating them in promoting business activities. I would request all members to keep sending your suggestions to ICCI for redress of issues in order to accelerate economic activity in this region.

Maintaining close liaison with market associations, ICT Administration, CDA, MCI, FBR, Police and various other departments is our key focus to help address the issues of the business community and provide a secure and peaceful environment to all members. We would welcome all suggestions of members in this regard.