Peshawar: The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has announced plans to launch a landmark initiative titled “Made in KPK” aimed at promoting e-commerce, youth entrepreneurship, and startup businesses across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
SCCI President Junaid Altaf shared details of the initiative while addressing participants of the 31st Specialized Training Program (STP) of various government departments from the Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD) at the chamber house. The 10-member PITAD delegation, led by Director Qaddafi Rind, was briefed on the chamber’s efforts to strengthen business activity and support the local economy.
During his presentation, Altaf highlighted SCCI’s ongoing role in facilitating trade, protecting business interests, and promoting investment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s diverse economic sectors. He identified the province’s rich natural resources — including oil, gas, minerals, pharmaceuticals, honey, furniture, and gems and jewellery — as key strengths that offer vast opportunities for both local and foreign investors.
The SCCI president also pointed out several challenges hampering business growth in the province, including high costs of doing business, policy inconsistencies, and logistical disadvantages due to the region’s distance from seaports. He noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s economy remains heavily dependent on trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs), underscoring the need for improved trade facilitation and regional connectivity.
Altaf urged policymakers to pay special attention to the province’s economic realities when designing national trade and industrial policies. He called for a long-term “Aasaan Karoobar” policy spanning the next 15 years to promote entrepreneurship, digital trade, and startup development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Emphasizing the province’s potential, he said that despite existing obstacles, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s proximity to Afghanistan and regional markets provides it with a unique trade advantage. Altaf also encouraged government departments to act as facilitators rather than regulators, helping businesses thrive through consistent support and simplified procedures.
He added that the “Made in KPK” initiative will serve as a platform to empower local entrepreneurs, create new opportunities for skilled youth, and help curb the ongoing brain drain from the province.
The session concluded with discussions on trade promotion, investment opportunities, and strategies to integrate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa more effectively into national and regional economic frameworks.
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