The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) has directed the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to prioritize the transformation of Pakistan’s investment climate, especially to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). In a letter, Ehsan Malik, CEO of PBC, urged SIFC to address fragmentation within key ministries and promote long-term policy predictability.
Malik emphasized the importance of learning from existing investors’ experiences, highlighting the negative impact of abrupt policy changes on previous investments. He stressed the need to restore Pakistan’s reputation for stable, long-term investment plans.
Furthermore, Malik recommended focusing on FDI in export-oriented and import-reducing sectors, cautioning against high-risk perceptions that could lead to short payback periods for investors. He also highlighted various challenges, including regulatory complexities, industrial policy gaps, high energy tariffs, and taxation issues, urging a comprehensive approach to improve the investment environment.
