Mr. Shahid Hussain, Chief Executive Officer of M/S Shahid Trading Company and M/S Shahab Trading Company (Pvt.) Ltd, is a seasoned expert in cross-border trade, currently serving as the Senior Vice President (SVP) of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Peshawar.
With eighteen years of experience in regional trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs), he has previously held the SVP position at SCCI from 2019-2020 and again from 2022-2023. He also acted as President from December 15, 2019, to January 15, 2020. Mr. Hussain has been instrumental as the Chairman of the SCCI Standing Committee for Afghanistan and CARs Bilateral and Transit Trade Promotion and served on the Board of Directors for the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 2021-2023. His trading companies specialize in cement exports to Afghanistan and CARs, distributing brands such as Cherat, Lucky, Pioneer, and Askari Cement. An active speaker at various seminars, Mr. Hussain holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Board of Peshawar. Daily The Public Purview Conduct a special interview with Mr Shahid Hussain.
Q: Let’s discuss the current situation with regional trade. What is your opinion on the issues we are facing, and how do you propose we overcome these challenges?
Regional trade with Central Asian states and Afghanistan is facing various opportunities and challenges. Opportunities include better geographical positioning, infrastructural rights, energy resources, and economic corridor projects. Challenges involve political instability, security issues, and slow border processing. These are significant hurdles.
Q: From your 18 years of experience, what key lessons have you learned? What is your vision for trade, and how do you shape it?
My 18 years of experience have taught me that trust, transparency, stable policies, and strong government relations are crucial for successful trade. We have organized trade delegations, joint trade exhibitions, signed trade agreements, and focused on improving infrastructure, simplifying customs processing, and initiating joint economic projects. I have been working on this for the past four years, with significant progress, including joint trade exhibitions with PDF and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, as well as exchange of trade delegations. We have made considerable advancements, signed joint agreements, and emphasized stable policies and simplified customs processing.
Q: Given the current border situation, how is the trade from here to there, and how do your community view this?
The border situation primarily affects traders from both countries and Central Asia. Frequent closures, often due to minor or unusual reasons, severely impact traders, causing delays from two days to sometimes ten days, preventing goods from reaching the market on time. This is a major setback for traders from both countries.
Q: How do you view regional trade, and what measures have you taken for it?
The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry continuously offers its services and provides a forum to the government. We notify relevant authorities of the challenges faced by traders from both sides, addressing issues timely. Many issues have been resolved, though some persist due to security conditions or lack of policy understanding among traders. We strive to keep traders informed about policies and update the government on traders’ legal problems.
Q: As a Senior Vice President, how do you view the role of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry?
Globally, Chambers of Commerce and Industry play a pivotal role as a bridge between the government and traders. Their responsibility is to resolve issues between the government and traders.
Q: What are your thoughts on the current budget, especially regarding regional trade with Afghanistan?
The current budget imposes a one percent duty on exports, which was not previously in place. Most of the budget relies on taxes, with rising electricity costs and increased taxes causing concern. This raises questions about how we will compete in the Afghan and Central Asian markets.
Q: What has the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce done for small traders?
The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides recommendations and awareness to the government. Unfortunately, our small traders depend on trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia. Since small industries have been established in Afghanistan, our local small industries have been affected. Due to the security situation in the province, small traders struggle to survive. The chamber has organized seminars in collaboration with banks and SMEDA to provide awareness about easy loans and funding for small traders.
Q: How many members are currently working in the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce, and how many small traders are registered?
Any registered trader with an NTN and proper tax filings is eligible for chamber membership. At one time, the chamber had about seven to eight thousand members. Currently, around four thousand traders are registered in the associate group, including both small and large traders, with over 500 industries registered at the corporate level.
Q: Are these members from the entire province or just Peshawar?
Initially, in 1958, the chambers were established for the entire province. However, district-level chambers were introduced during Musharraf’s era. Our members are still from the entire province.
Q: What message do you have for those entering the business world?
Success in trade requires national trust, consistency, and modern adaptability. Focus on regional cooperation and mutual benefits to ensure everyone prospers.
Q: What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs and small industry owners?
Anyone starting a new business should be well-informed about their chosen field. The chamber provides guidance to new entrants, explaining the challenges and feasibility of their business. With consistency, self-confidence, and a win-win mindset, success is achievable.
Q: What is the role of women in business, and what is the function of the Women Chamber of Commerce?
Although the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce does not have a separate women’s chamber, there are two seats for women in the executive body. Women have their own chambers across the country. Registered women entrepreneurs actively participate in various industries and share their knowledge, creating awareness among others.
