Punjab CM pledges to cut red tape

Chamber president tells Maryam amendments have gone to speaker, with eBiz rollout discussed

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has assured the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) of support in resolving issues facing the business community and promoting industrialisation, telling the chamber that her government is accelerating digitalisation and removing bureaucratic hurdles to make the province business-friendly, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

She gave the assurance at a meeting with LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar, who raised the district economy, the proposed PERA Force, changes to rules and regulations, and industrialisation and investment promotion, the statement said.

The chief minister congratulated Asghar on his election and said the government was committed to addressing the concerns of traders and industrialists and would take all possible measures to resolve them. She said digitalisation was progressing rapidly, describing the eBiz initiative as aimed at facilitating traders, industrialists and investors by simplifying business processes and improving access to government services, and said the government was removing red tape and administrative obstacles that could hinder industrialisation.

She emphasised, the statement said, the importance of an environment in which businesses could operate more efficiently and investors could explore opportunities in Punjab, and assured the chamber that actionable proposals would be considered. Asghar told the chief minister the chamber had proposed amendments to three laws, with the changes handed to the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

He told her that consultation with traders and industrialists could help identify practical solutions, and urged regular consultations so that policies reflect ground realities, saying timely resolution of issues, a transparent regulatory framework and investor-friendly policies were needed to encourage new investment and expand industrial activity.

The statement quoted Asghar as appreciating what he called the provincial government's public-friendly initiatives and saying the chief minister and her team were demonstrating "commendable performance", and as saying he particularly appreciated her efforts to maintain law and order because a peaceful environment was essential for business continuity and investor confidence.

He said improved security and a conducive business climate could help encourage investment and strengthen commercial activities, and that the welfare of the business community and resolution of its issues were important for sustainable economic progress.

He appreciated the government's focus on digitalisation, the introduction of eBiz and efforts to remove administrative barriers to industrial development. Asghar expressed hope that implementation of workable proposals would improve the business environment and facilitate investment and industrial expansion in Punjab.

The chief minister said her government would continue taking steps to facilitate businesses, resolve their concerns and promote industrial and commercial activities.

PML-N leaders Khawaja Waseem Afzal and Khawaja Shahzaib Akram attended.