LAHORE:
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider on Monday launched the Directory of Trade & Industry 2025, prepared by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and a publication aimed at strengthening business networking, boosting trade and providing investment opportunities.
The Directory of Trade & Industry includes details of 36,500 members, classified into five major categories – manufacturers 5,315, exporters 5,135, importers 9,011, traders 17,072 and services 10,047.
It covers a broad spectrum of industries, including agriculture & horticulture, automobile, construction, building materials, chemicals, textile, food & beverages, iron & steel, leather, IT & software, furniture & wood, jewellery, dairy products and livestock & fisheries.
Speaking on the occasion, the governor described the directory as a gateway for identifying potential trade partners, boosting exports and attracting investments. He stressed that authentic and comprehensive business data was indispensable for economic growth.
Speaking about flood relief, the governor acknowledged the LCCI’s support, saying that resources of the nation must be spent on the nation itself. “Flood victims are in dire need of help. Pakistan has immense potential for dam construction. If we utilise this water through storage, it will become a blessing rather than a disaster,” he said.
The governor pointed out that after Tarbela and Mangla, no major dam had been built, stressing that accountability must be ensured for those who allowed housing societies on riverbeds. He mentioned that since the 2021 floods, the Sindh government has constructed 2.1 million houses with solar systems for flood victims.
In today’s era, business linkages are the key to growth and trade directories play a vital role in this regard. This publication provides detailed information about members from every sector of the economy, enabling meaningful networking and partnerships. It is a valuable tool that will contribute positively to trade facilitation and connect businesses across Pakistan and beyond.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad highlighted the devastating impact of floods on the economy, particularly agriculture and energy. According to him, the current floods in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa alone have caused damages worth Rs98 billion, while the 2022 floods inflicted losses of over $30 billion nationwide.
“Unless urgent action is taken to construct small and large dams, Pakistan will continue to face catastrophic consequences,” he remarked.
Mian Abuzar said that every year $12 billion worth of water flows into sea, which, if stored, could significantly increase agricultural output, power generation and water supply.
