The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the World Bank have discussed measures to improve Pakistan’s business environment and facilitate private-sector activity.

SIFC Secretary Jameel Ahmad Qureshi held the meeting with a World Bank Group delegation, according to a statement issued after the talks.

The discussions focused on the Asaan Karobar Framework, Regulatory Registry and Pakistan Business Portal.

These initiatives aim to simplify regulations, improve coordination among government institutions and reduce the compliance burden on businesses.

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The Asaan Karobar Framework provides a structured approach to simplifying business-related regulations.

It also seeks to improve the overall ease of doing business in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Regulatory Registry aims to give businesses clearer access to applicable regulatory requirements.

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The Pakistan Business Portal is designed to provide businesses with a more coordinated interface for dealing with relevant government institutions.

Together, the initiatives seek to make government processes more accessible and predictable for businesses and investors.

World Bank Welcomes Provincial Coordination

The World Bank delegation welcomed SIFC’s inclusive approach to business facilitation.

In particular, the delegation highlighted SIFC’s engagement with provincial governments.

Such coordination is important because businesses often deal with both federal and provincial regulatory authorities.

The meeting also discussed the need for broader institutional coordination to improve Pakistan’s regulatory environment.

The World Bank assured SIFC of continued support for initiatives focused on business facilitation and regulatory improvements.

Reforms Target Private-Sector Growth

The reforms are part of broader efforts to create a more business-friendly environment in Pakistan.

The World Bank has identified business regulatory reform and increased productive private investment among its priorities for Pakistan.

For SIFC, the latest engagement supports its broader role in improving investment facilitation and coordinating government institutions.

The initiatives are expected to support entrepreneurship, investment and private-sector-led economic activity by making regulatory requirements easier to understand and follow.