Karachi: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) have entered into a significant partnership to enhance responsible business practices in Pakistan. Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Acting President of FPCCI, and Ms. Maria Jose Poddey, Country Director of GIZ Pakistan, formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a ceremony graced by Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, and Ms. Svenja Schulze, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The agreement marks the launch of the Responsible Business Helpdesk (RBH) at FPCCI, an initiative supported by Germany’s BMZ, aimed at assisting Pakistani businesses, particularly in the textile sector, to align with new European Union regulations and international standards of human and environmental responsibility.
Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon emphasized the profound appreciation of Pakistan’s business community for the German government’s unwavering support. He highlighted the critical role of the RBH platform in enabling Pakistani exporters to meet global standards, thereby enhancing the country’s economic growth and export potential.
Speaking at the event, Federal Minister for Commerce, Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting international best practices and human rights standards within its business sector. He underscored the growing global recognition of human rights in business, citing frameworks like the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, International Labor Organization Conventions, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. These, he noted, are crucial for ensuring that companies respect human rights throughout their operations.
Ms. Svenja Schulze, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, outlined the broader objectives of the MoU, emphasizing the establishment of an advisory center under the Business Coordinating Council. This center will focus on guiding companies in Pakistan on environmental due diligence and human rights compliance, offering services such as awareness programs, advisory support, training, and dialogue.
The RBH is designed to serve both large and small enterprises in Pakistan, helping them implement human rights due diligence in their supply chains. Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon detailed the specific objectives of the RBH, including the development of a service portfolio, the creation of a dedicated microsite on the FPCCI website, the opening of a physical office for RBH Pakistan, and the formulation of a sustainability plan to ensure the RBH’s continued operation beyond the MoU’s duration.
The signing ceremony was attended by several distinguished figures, including Mr. Tariq Khan Jadoon, VP FPCCI; Mr. Karim Aziz Malik, In-Charge Capital Office, FPCCI; Malik Sohail Hussain, Chairman Coordination, FPCCI; Mr. Majyd Aziz, former President of the Employer Federation of Pakistan (EFP); and prominent representatives from women’s chambers of commerce and other key stakeholders.
This collaboration between FPCCI and GIZ marks a pivotal step in strengthening Pakistan’s adherence to responsible business practices and enhancing the country’s position in global markets.