Mr. Kashif Shabbir, President, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has vowed to strengthen the collaboration between industry and the higher education institutions.

During a visit to the Islamabad campus of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), he emphasized that a close link between universities and industry was necessary to foster research and development, overcome the economic crises, develop the Industry, increase exports and foreign investment, and create employment and business opportunities.

Accompanied by a delegation of businessmen, traders, economists, RCCI President attended a dialogue session with the students wherein different economic and commerce issues were discussed. Syed Asad Hussain, Campus Head, SZABIST and other faculty members were also present on the occasion.

Students took an active part in the debate, which touched upon different topics including Existing Situation of Pakistan's Economy, Industrialization, Effective Management, SMEs, Education and Business Linkages, Taxation, Foreign Direct Investments, Pakistan's Tax Structure, Banking, Foreign Trade Relations, Product Competitiveness in Foreign Markets, Major Industries in Pakistan etc.

Earlier, Syed Asad Hussain gave a brief introduction of SZABIST activities which was followed by a presentation on working of RCCI by Mr. Kashif Shabbir. In the end, the Campus Head presented a shield to the President RCCI.