LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol. Photo (file)
LAHORE:
Pakistan has significant export potential in non-traditional sectors, but a lack of policy focus has limited their performance, President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Faheemur Rehman Saigol said on Saturday.
According to a statement, he was speaking at a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Coating Association at the Lahore Chamber. During the meeting, the LCCI and the Pakistan Coating Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation. Under the agreement, both organisations will carry out joint activities throughout the year, including business development, policy support and trade promotion initiatives.
Addressing the meeting, Saigol said the coating industry was an important sector that could support local industry while contributing to export growth. He said closer coordination between trade bodies was essential, particularly as businesses across sectors were facing economic challenges.
He added that the LCCI would continue engaging with stakeholders to safeguard the interests of the business community and strengthen institutional cooperation.
Representatives of the Pakistan Coating Association said chambers of commerce had consistently supported businesses and played an important role in resolving recent transport- and port-related issues. They said coordination between the private sector and the government was essential for sustainable policy outcomes. They added that efforts were underway to align major chambers so the government could be approached with a unified position on key economic issues.
The delegation said the coating industry comprised sub-sectors including paints, adhesives, powder coatings and construction chemicals, all of which had export potential. Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East were identified as key markets. However, border closures and transport constraints continued to disrupt trade.
They stressed the need for alternative trade routes and stronger regional trade diplomacy. The delegation also called for formal recognition of the coating industry as a separate industrial sector to ensure appropriate representation in taxation and incentive policies.
