ISLAMABAD — Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has reiterated the government’s resolve to simplify investment processes and stimulate industrial growth in Pakistan during a meeting with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) leadership.
Sheikh highlighted the establishment of a Facilitation Center at the Board of Investment (BOI), which offers one-window services from all relevant ministries to expedite business approvals and eliminate bureaucratic delays.
“We have cleared all pending business approvals and are working to make investment processes faster and more efficient,” said Sheikh.
He also announced that new industries established in economic zones will receive 10-year zero-rated import facilities on machinery. The minister revealed a 6,000-acre economic zone near Karachi is being developed, which will offer significant opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, and exports.
Sheikh emphasized that the government’s primary goal is to restore business confidence, attract investment, and ensure policy consistency to foster economic growth.
LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol expressed appreciation for the government’s engagement with the business community, but also raised concerns about the high cost of doing business due to energy tariffs, heavy taxation, and policy uncertainty.
Saigol called for the inclusion of business leaders in economic decision-making and urged the government to focus on empowering local entrepreneurs, especially in the SME sector, to foster sustainable economic growth.
Former LCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar also highlighted the pressures faced by Pakistan’s industrial sector, calling for immediate measures to address energy costs, taxation, and policy unpredictability.
The LCCI leadership reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships and promoting Pakistan as a business-friendly destination.
