MEMBERSHIP FEES OF SOME TRADE BODIES TERMED HIGH…The Financial Daily 27/01/2021

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged the chambers of commerce and industry and the apex trade body namely the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to set up effective SME Resolution Committees
(SME-RC) as trade associations are charging exorbitant admission and renewal fees which are unaffordable for SMEs.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said if the chambers of commerce and industry all over the country set up SME-RC in their organizations then the SMEs can have their issues addressed by their local chambers and major issues of national interest can be resolved by the FPCCI. The need for SMEs to become members of trade associations will not arise.
Thaver added it is reported that most of the chambers are inclined to focus on the big sector and are neglectful of the majority SME sector but once they set up special committees for SMEs, it will be facilitating the SMEs.
Secondly he added that the FPCCI does have committee for SMEs but it needs to be taken care of by a senior member well experienced in SME matters.
He said SME promotion and development is not everybody’s cup of tea and calls for special skill.
The Council of UNISAME has also urged the Director General Trade Organizations (DGTO) to enforce regulatory rules for fees to make them reasonable and affordable for the SMEs.
The Council also urged for training of the committee members in the resolution of SME issues to enable them advocate the cause of the majority sector effectively
Finally the DGTO needs to direct the trade associations not to politicize and carry on their activities as bonafide trade bodies and not like political parties.

Posted in: Press Releases