Razak reviews progress, implementation of regulatory reforms by provinces

Dawood hopes for successfully completion of 4th Biennial Review of GSP-Plus
File Photo

ISLAMABAD, Apr 07 (APP): Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood On Wednesday reviewed progress and implementation of regulatory reforms by provinces to ensure the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in the industrial sector.

The Adviser also briefed on the regulatory guillotine activity under National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), said a press release issued by Board of Investment (BOI) here.

The fifth Steering Committee meeting on Pakistan Regulatory Modernization Initiative (PRMI) was held under the chairmanship of the Adviser Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood at Board of Investment (BOI).

The Adviser to PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity, Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Chairman BOI, Atif Bokhari ,Secretary Industries and Production, member FBR, Provincial Secretaries of Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan, Director General ICT, representatives of private sector i.e. Pakistan Buiness Council (PBC), Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Chamber of Commerce, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and Pakistan’s international development partners World Bank and British High Commission attended the meeting in person and virtually.

The Adviser expressed satisfaction with performance of stakeholders and recommended a reservoir of implemented reforms be formulated.

Dr.Ishrat Hussain highlighted the need to follow a strategy that prioritizes identification of high impact regulations that will have visible benefits for the business community.

While Additional Secretary BOI, Mukarram Jah Ansari on the subject of PRMI Strategy Document briefed the participants that multiple consultation sessions have been held with public, private sector and international development partners for review in terms of changes and improvements.

He appraised the forum on the status of regulatory mapping, which as of now stands at 1400 regulations.

Ansari stated that mapping is an ongoing exercise and a repository of the mapped regulations is available on PRMI website.

As for the regulatory guillotine, Mr. Mukarram shared that BOI has formally started its implementation parallel to PRMI.

BOI with the help of the private sector has identified over 200 issues being faced by business fraternity at federal and provincial level, he informed.

The vetting of the shared issues has been initiated with meetings of the constituted working groups and multiple proposals for resolution of the highlighted concerns have been approved.

Provincial representatives of KP, Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and AJK shared progress review of their respective provinces pertaining to implementation of reforms initiatives and timelines.

The various implemented reforms are geared towards offering respite to the business fraternity which will also promote private sector development and market led economy.

The Steering Committee has approved the PRMI Strategy Document for publication and dissemination among all stakeholders.

Chairman BOI, Atif Bokhari also acknowledged the efforts of the stakeholders and reaffirmed Federal and Provincial governments’ commitment to improve the business climate of the country through continued regulatory reforms.

He stated that BOI in consultation with all stakeholders is focusing on the business related issues and challenges following supply and demand side approaches.

The meeting concluded with the committee’s resolve to expedite the ongoing regulatory Journey.

 

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