Discuss issues related to service sector especially hotels.

A special meeting to discuss issues related to service sector was held on Monday, 13th July 2020 via ZOOM Link chaired by Mian Zahid Hussain, Convener FPCCI Advisory Committee on FBR and conducted by Khurram Ijaz, Vice President FPCCI to discuss hardship and issues related with service sector being faced by the entire business community in Post COVID-19 Scenario. The leading import/export- Services sectors and a large number of businessmen from various trade associations and Chambers attended the meeting.

Khurram Ijaz, said that the entire business community; exporters, and businessmen are facing numerous hardships and issues related to service sector. He further stated that Post COVID Scenario has crippled the economy and created many economic challenges for entire business community and tourism industry specially service sector. He stated that ease of doing business has become very difficult during post lockdown scenario. He also assured the businessmen that we are here to facilitate the business community and we will take necessary initiatives against the grievances raised by businessmen to the concerned government authorities from the Federation’s platform for the swift resolution of their issues being faced by them.

Zubair Baweja, Vice President, FPCCI and the Chairman of Pakistan Hotel Associations stated that services sector especially hotel industry has been badly affected due to the outbreak of COVID-19. He informed that if companies and individuals cannot travel and visit a hotel, the hotel’s revenues are garroted. As corporate expenses are strangled, off-sites and sales meetings cannot be held. With flights stopped, there is no inbound travel and no flight crew staying at airport hotels. Hotel gyms and pools have been closed, while restaurants, banquet and meeting facilities, an integral part of hotel operations, have been completely restricted. All this has led to a severe strangulation of the revenue generated by the hotel industry. He also mentioned that Hotels and Marriage Halls should be opened on immediate basis.

Mian Zahid Hussain, while inaugurating the meeting stated in his welcome address that service sectors play a vital role in economy which contributes 50 % share in the GDP of Pakistan and US $4.9 trillion to the World Trade, annually.  Pakistan has seen several major economic downturns since its inception. One of the major impacts as a result of the pandemic was the lockdown which has badly affected the service sectors specially hotel industry

He emphasized on the need of ensuring the implementation and compliance of Standard operational procedures (SOPs) and protocols formulated by the government to run businesses in professional manners. Besides, he showed his full support and cooperation to businessmen for resolving their issues sector-wise.