ISLAMABAD:
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government have discussed measures to simplify business regulations, strengthen key Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and facilitate domestic and foreign investment in the province.
According to an SIFC press release issued on Saturday, a delegation comprising the director general and secretary SIFC visited Peshawar and held a meeting with the K-P chief secretary to discuss coordinated measures for improving the provincial business environment, facilitating investment and promoting industrial development.
During the meeting, the SIFC delegation briefed the chief secretary on the council’s ongoing regulatory reform agenda, with particular focus on the implementation of the Asaan Karobar Act, development of the National Business Portal and establishment of Business Facilitation Centres.
These initiatives are aimed at simplifying business registration and licensing procedures, reducing regulatory bottlenecks and providing investors and entrepreneurs with streamlined access to government facilitation services.
The K-P government was appreciated for adopting the Asaan Karobar Act, reflecting its commitment to regulatory simplification and the creation of a more conducive environment for business and investment.
The meeting also focused on the development and optimisation of key Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the province, particularly Hattar, Rashakai and Daraban. Discussions covered measures to improve infrastructure, operational efficiency and investment readiness of these industrial zones, with a view to attracting new enterprises, encouraging private-sector participation, promoting industrial activity and generating employment opportunities.
The K-P chief secretary appreciated SIFC’s coordinating role in investment facilitation and regulatory reforms and assured the delegation of the provincial government’s full cooperation in pursuing the shared agenda. The importance of sustained institutional coordination and effective implementation of agreed initiatives was also underscored.
In pursuance of the prime minister’s directives, the SIFC is working in close coordination with provincial governments to simplify regulatory procedures, improve institutional coordination and create a more facilitative business environment across Pakistan.
Through a whole-of-government approach, the council is bringing federal and provincial stakeholders together to address procedural impediments, improve business facilitation mechanisms and establish a more transparent and predictable operating environment for domestic and international investors.
SIFC’s engagement with the K-P government forms part of its broader efforts to translate policy reforms into practical improvements in business environment, optimise existing industrial infrastructure and unlock the investment potential of provinces.
