Reforms will continue to come out of crisis: Aurangzeb

Minister stresses role of digital channels to ensure transparency

HARIPUR/ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb has declared that the government will continue to press ahead with reforms to steer the country out of crisis and towards a positive economic growth.

Speaking at the launch of the first sustainability-based online platform of ESG Sustain Pakistan under the auspices of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Thursday, the finance minister said that Pakistan's key economic indicators were positive while deficits had been brought under control.

He stressed that the government was taking steps to accelerate business and investment in the country.

Aurangzeb appreciated the role of SECP in promoting digitalisation and data sharing and remarked that digital channels and opportunities would be helpful in promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.

He noted that the aim of the environment, social and governance (ESG) platform was to encourage companies and institutions to share their success stories and best practices. The initiative, he said, would provide a level playing field, where all institutions, regardless of their size, would be able to highlight their achievements and learn from each other.

The finance minister pointed out that the government had made significant progress in the economic field, as evident from the positive key indicators and reduced deficits.

He mentioned that the foreign exchange reserves and exports were increasing while inflation was decreasing. At the same time, industries are benefiting from the reduction in interest rate. He called it necessary to bring all sections of society into the economic mainstream. "Everyone will have to play their role in Pakistan's economy. Gender equality is important in the national economic scenario."