Provinces avow support to simplify business registration process

ISLAMABAD: Provincial representatives on Wednesday expressed commitment to join forces with the centre in its Pakistan Regulatory Modernisation Initiative (PRMI) aimed at simplifying regulatory framework and registration process to facilitate the business community.

The second meeting of steering committee on Pakistan Regulatory Modernization Initiative was held in the ministry of commerce to review the progress and discuss a way forward. The first meeting was held on 12th September, 2019.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Commerce Razzaq Dawood told the meeting that the government aims to provide friendly-environment to business community. “We want to make procedures easy to invite more investments,” Dawood said in a statement.

A representative of Khyber Pukhtunkhawa government said the provincial chief minister held a meeting on 7th January, 2020 to discuss easing of business procedures. The committee was formulated to see duplication of taxes and reduce number of taxes, he said. Khyber Pukhtunkhawa government also mapped the regulations and many other related

issues.

A representative of Sindh government said kick-off meeting on PRMI was held on 8th February, 2020. The aim was to develop simplify, modernise and automate regulation system for businesses.

A representative of the Punjab government said the provincial administration went through all mapping in 2018. “In order to carry out process of guillotine, we need to have steering committees in provinces as well.”

A representative of Balochistan said the World Bank is helping the province in developing terms of reference. “Balochistan will benefit from other provinces to expedite this process.”

A representative from Azad Jammu and Kashmir said the state was neglected in the past. “We recently passed Board of Investment Act, and are forming Board of Investment unit through PC-1.” A representative of Gilgit Baltistan said the administration is working on one-window operation to facilitate businesses. “For GSP (generalised scheme of preferences) plus status we have introduced some legislation as well.”

PM’s Adviser on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Ishrat Hussain said aim of the meeting is to identify difficulties in areas related to business and hold dialogue to find solution.

Zubair Gillani, chairman Board of Investment said there is a need to develop confidence of investors.

“Board of Investment is here to coordinate among provinces to facilitate this process of creating business-friendly environment.”

Secretary Commerce Nawaz Sukhera, Secretary Board of Investment Omer Rasul, Secretary Investment Department Najam Ahmed Shah, Jahanzeb Burana from Punjab Board of Investment and Trade, Muhammad Anwar, director of Balochistan Board of Investment, Secretary Industry Commerce and Mineral Department Syed Zulifqar Ali Shah, Head of ECO Growth United Kingdom Department for International Development Pakistan Sam Fell and trade and industry representatives attended the meeting.