Punjab to initiate ‘one-window centres’ to facilitate businesses

Project will bring provincial and federal services under one roof, ensure easy registration

LAHORE: The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) is in the process of developing 'One-Window Centres' to ensure ease of doing business in the province.

Once operational, these centres will facilitate existing as well as new investors to register their business with 19 provincial as well as federal services, which will significantly reduce the time and nuisance for the business community.

"These 'one-window centres' bring 19 provincial and federal services under one roof," PITB Chairman Dr Umar Saif told The Express Tribune. "We are collaborating with the Punjab Industries department to remove red tape and delays in starting new businesses," he added.

Pakistan's business community has been demanding a 'one window facility' for quite some time, as currently, starting a new business and registering it with federal and provincial departments is a hectic and lengthy process.



At present, it takes almost 19 days for any investor to register a new business in Pakistan; the industry said that the ideal time for registering a firm is half a day, as practised in the modern world.

The development is a step towards improving Pakistan's ranking in the Global Ease of Doing Business Index, a list used worldwide to judge a country as a potential investment destination.

In 2016, Pakistan was ranked 144th against 148th in 2015. Other Southeast Asian countries like India and Bangladesh were ranked 130th and 176th, respectively, in 2016.

"We were hoping this facility is operational before the budget announcements, but it is still facing delays," said former president of the Lahore Chamber of commerce and Industry (LCCI) Almas Hyder.

Hyder revealed that there had been some issues a few months ago when the system was tested. "However, such projects are the need of the hour and should be completed on a fast-track basis."

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2017.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.