Faiza Tehseen 

Advanced networking and connectivity can improve trade and business activities in Pakistan for sustainable socio-economic development. “Development of such elements is necessary to make Pakistan active part of global digital business platforms. Chambers of commerce and industry can play a crucial role in this regard by raising awareness among the trade and business communities in the country,” said Zulfiqar Ahmad, head of media and communications at Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).

Talking to WealthPK, he said advanced networking technologies and better connectivity were crucial in facilitating international trade. “Seamless communication helps foster business across borders, generates new opportunities and reaches new customers. It also improves effective supply chain management with real-time monitoring to optimise inventories and avoid high costs and unnecessary delays.” He said RCCI was contributing to overall economic growth and competitiveness in the country by making the business environment more smart, secure, and efficient.

“RCCI is helping entrepreneurs, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to develop their businesses by organising different sessions for them,” he added. “The most prominent initiative taken by RCCI over the years for uplift of the business community is the successful formation of a platform for business community leaders of Pakistan,” he said, adding the ‘All Pakistan Chambers’ Presidents Conference’ is part of the International Chambers Summit (ICS). “Through this channel, RCCI highlights the issues faced by the business community and seeks their solutions by involving representatives of the business community and the government.”

Ahmad said the objective of the initiative was to gather the representatives of all trade associations of Pakistan at one platform to discuss and find solutions to their problems. “ICS also provides an opportunity for networking and connectivity to make trade and business channels more productive.” Similarly, he said RCCI has organised several trade and business events, including ‘Rawal Expo’, ‘Gems Expo’, ‘IT Expo’, ‘Build Expo’, and ‘Food Fest’ over the past few years, providing an opportunity to the business community to showcase their products and services. “These events provide an opportunity to the entrepreneurs to share their ideas and issues.”   

Ahmed said IT expos also provided an opportunity for trade and business communities to understand the importance of digital marketing. “High-speed data sharing and analytics through advanced networking provide smart market insight related to consumer behaviour and innovative solutions. Cloud technologies play a vital role in leveraging scalable computing sources. Communication and collaboration tools also promote the trends of e-commerce and online transactions to make business and trade wider at the global platforms.”

The RCCI head of media and communications said that opportunity conferences or connectivity events were a regular practice worldwide. “By inviting international trade and business leaders, RCCI regularly provides opportunities to its members (exporters and importers) to get in touch with them,” he said, adding chambers across the country should also conduct such events regularly to embrace international trade and business leaders.

 Credit: INP-WealthPk