Consumer financing vital for economic growth.

Byline: Khalil Ahmed

Interview with Mohammed Abdullah Batra - President, Orangi Traders' Association

PAGE: Tell me something about yourself and your career, please:

Mohammed Abdullah Batra: I am a businessman and a social worker. I believe in doing something for the downtrodden since it a kind of giving back to the society. This is our moral obligation to ensure that the impoverished population is helped and taken care of, no matter what area of the country they live in. We all need to be humane. I am also the President of Orangi Traders Association as well as the Vice Chairman Law and Order Sub Committee at KCCI. In addition to all this, I am also serving as the President West All Karachi Tajir Alliance.

PAGE: How do you see consumer financing in Pakistan?

Mohammed Abdullah Batra: Consumer financing is the driving force behind electronics sales traditionally. Due to low literacy and awareness, people avoid going to banks but there exists a parallel network of financing to serve the needs of the consumers for decades. Consumer financing is an essential part of economic growth since it helps the industry in terms of production and eventually the wholesalers and the retailers get ample opportunities to do business. Consumer financing last but not least is vital in terms of having better living standards. Middle class families could avail such opportunities through financial institutions to enhance their living standards in this era of technological marvels.

PAGE: Despite economic problems, there is surge in the sales of electronic appliances in Pakistan. Your views:

Mohammed Abdullah Batra: Electronics items were a luxury in the past but now are basic need for every household given our fast paced lifestyles and changing urban living standards. Right from air conditioners, smart LEDs, cell phones, microwave ovens, refrigerators, automatic ovens for domestic use etc. have become the necessity of every household. Once could anticipate even widespread use of the...