President Zardari said that the government attached highest priority towards law and order to restore confidence of the business community. - File photo

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Friday urged the business community to come forward with out-of-box proposals to the government to overcome economic challenges.

He was talking to a delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) the apex body representing trade and industry and mouthpiece of country's private sector, here at the President House.

The President said that business community of the country should help the government in restoring the confidence of the people in the strength and vitality of the national economy through the important platform of FPCCI.

The meeting, in line with regular interaction of the President with the representatives of the business community, was aimed at seeking their cooperation and suggestions to stimulate economic activities and for steps to further promote business friendly environment in the country.

The President thanked the business community for support at a time when the government had inherited the economic ills and was undertaking military operation against the extremists and militants, besides also coping with the devastation of natural calamities.

He termed the business community as an invaluable asset and an important vehicle for economic progress, geared to bring about socio-economic development of the people of the country.

The President said that a combination of domestic and international factors have, of late, affected the economic activity in the country.

However he said the government was taking measures to improve the security situation so as to resume the economic activity.

He highlighted steps taken by the government in the economic realm and pointed that it has introduced reforms to put it on a sustainable growth path.

He said social protection umbrella was being extended to the poorest of the poor through BISP, besides creating job opportunities, and protecting the development expenditures for sustaining future growth and poverty alleviation.

The President also called upon FPCCI to play a more active role in articulating problems of business community and safeguarding their interests through regular engagement with the government.

He said that synergies of public private partnerships and combined efforts promise the desired objective of ushering a new era of socio-economic prosperity.

The delegation members appreciated the President for his regular interaction with the business community and discussed issues faced by the community. They also suggested ways to make economic environment conducive for the foreign and domestic investors.

The President assured that the government attached highest priority towards law and order to restore confidence of the business community. He also assured that the suggestions would be duly considered to further facilitate the business community.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain, Secretary General to the President M. Salman Faruqui, Chairman BOI Saleem H. Mandviwala, and Federal Secretaries of relevant divisions.

FPCCI was represented by Senator Haji Ghulam Ali, President of FPCCI, Vice President of CACCI Tariq Saeed, Iftikhar Ali Malik and Chaudhary Aamar Ata Bajwa.