ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that the government is committed to providing full support to the business community to attract investment and boost exports, aiming to achieve sustainable economic growth.
During a meeting with a delegation of prominent business leaders, the prime minister emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to encourage long-term investment in Pakistan. He revealed that a committee had been established to develop an export facilitation scheme, which would soon present its draft recommendations for approval.
PM Shehbaz highlighted that, thanks to the efforts of his economic team and divine grace, the economy had stabilized and was now advancing rapidly toward progress. “Collective efforts are essential for the country’s economic development,” he stated.
He assured the delegation that resolving issues faced by the business community was a top priority, and the government was taking all necessary measures to facilitate their operations. He pointed out that the digitalization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other reforms had significantly improved the ease of doing business.
The prime minister also noted that the introduction of the Faceless Custom Clearance System had drastically reduced container clearance times at ports. Additionally, he shared that the government was focused on training the youth to provide skilled manpower for industries. “We are unifying all professional training institutions under one umbrella to streamline the system,” he added.
Members of the delegation praised the prime minister’s economic team for their efforts, acknowledging that the country was moving toward progress after achieving economic stability. They commended the government for exploring new revenue streams and strengthening the national treasury.
The business leaders lauded initiatives such as the Uraan Pakistan program and the roadmap for economic development. They also appreciated efforts to enhance professional skills among the youth, particularly the plan to send 1,000 students to China for advanced training, as well as measures to support the agriculture and industrial sectors.
The delegation noted that, for the first time, there was a genuine commitment at the government level to address the challenges faced by the business community. They expressed gratitude for being included in the consultation process, especially during budget formulation, and praised the prime minister’s leadership in increasing revenue and controlling inflation.
The business leaders also presented suggestions to resolve their issues. In response, PM Shehbaz directed relevant ministries and secretaries to engage in consultations with the business community and develop a policy strategy based on their recommendations.
