ISLAMABAD – The government plans to establish dedicated Ease of DoingBusiness centers in the federal capital and the four provinces in the nextthree months to fully facilitate the entrepreneurs to make investments inthe country.
Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Chairman Board of Investment(BOI) Haroon Sharif were addressing a news conference in Islamabad onWednesday.
Abdul Razak Dawood said our efforts are focused on improving the ranking ofthe country in terms of doing business. He said Pakistan is currentlyranked 136 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business and the primeminister has given them the target to improve it to one hundred in thecurrent year.
The Adviser said we are bringing a promissory note for the exporters inorder to address their liquidity issue. He said our effort is that infuture the tax refunds do not pile up.
Abdul Razak Dawood said the process of industrialization has been startedin the country which will create immense job opportunities for the youth.
Dilating upon the steps being taken to facilitate the businessmen, theChairman Board of Investment Haroon Sharif said we are issuing businessvisa in twenty four hours now. He said the businessmen can now apply visaonline without going to Pakistan’s embassy. He said initially this schemehas been launched for four countries and later it will be expanded to sixtycountries.
He said tax payment procedures for businesses are being simplified and thenumber of taxes has been reduced to sixteen from forty seven. He saidbusinessmen can pay the taxes online. He said laws will also be framed toensure that the businesses have easy access to banking credit.
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The Chairman Board of Investment said a single window solution has beenintroduced for the businessmen. He said Punjab government has alsointroduced a single portal that will facilitate the investors inregistering their properties. He said the power sector and NEPRA have alsobeen taken on board so that the businesses get the power connection in theminimum time.
The Chairman Board of Investment said under the tourism policy, there is norestricted area in the country and now investors can invest in GilgitBaltistan, Azad Kashmir and Balochistan too.
Haroon Sharif said the regional countries including Saudi Arabia, UnitedArab Emirates and Malaysia are expressing great interest for investment indifferent sectors of the economy. He said Saudi Arabia is setting up an oilrefinery in Gwadar while PARCO is also planning to set up a similarfacility. He said these countries have also expressed interest inhoteling, resorts and the food processing units.
Haroon Sharif said Pakistan is emerging as a hub of regional connectivityand that is why many investors are pouring into the country. He said stepsare also afoot to ensure speedy clearance of goods at borders.
