President for ease of doing business, innovation
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Ease of doing business and use of innovative strategies by incorporating digital technology is essential to ensure sustainable business activities in the country, said President Dr Arif Alvi.
Addressing the launch of Asaan Karobar Programme, organised by the Board of Investment on Friday, the president emphasised that a conducive regulatory environment in Pakistan facilitated businessmen in easily launching and operating their companies.
“A country’s prime interest should be to promote business activities,” he said and stressed the importance of taking all the stakeholders on board for a successful policy formulation.
According to him, the government’s effective strategy to hold consultations with the relevant traders and businessmen has helped revive the textile sector.
He lauded the online portal launched by the Board of Investment aimed at identifying the regulatory obstacles and problems through the active involvement of private sector and business associations.
Alvi called for offering ease of doing business-related incentives to the women-owned digital setups, stating that their inclusion in entrepreneurship could lead to the emergence of a vibrant middle class in Pakistan.
On the occasion, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood talked about the reforms implemented by the Board of Investment to reduce the burden of compliance on businesses and promote ease of doing business, specifically for the small and medium enterprises.
“The government has taken effective steps to facilitate the businessmen and traders, which has helped ensure economic growth,” he said.
Minister of State and Board of Investment Chairman Muhammad Azfar Ahsan lauded the Asaan Karobar Programme and the nationwide drive to improve ease of doing business.
“It is a harmonised system of regulations aimed at providing a conducive business environment that is recognised and acknowledged globally,” he said.
“More than 100 reforms have been implemented, which have significantly transformed the investment climate in Pakistan.”
He pointed out that reforms had been introduced in three rounds.
Around 167 initiatives were approved by the federal and provincial departments, of which 115 reforms were implemented in 75 departments. They have benefitted more than 30 sectors of the economy.
“Key sectors that have benefitted from these reforms include food processing, healthcare, solar energy, surgical goods, construction and tourism.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2022.
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