ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday held a meeting with Pakistan Business Council (PBC) newly-elected Chairman Ziad Bashir and Chief Executive Officer Javed Kureishi to discuss investment, business competitiveness, regulatory reforms and measures to strengthen private-sector participation in Pakistan’s economic development.
While expressing his best wishes to Ziad Bashir on his new assignment, the finance minister emphasised the need for a stronger focus on investment and private-sector-led growth, noting that businesses must continue to adapt to technological and digital transformation. He highlighted the importance of improving efficiency, adopting new tech-driven business models, and creating an environment that enables enterprises to remain competitive in changing markets.
Aurangzeb highlighted the importance of learning from international experiences and keeping Pakistan’s policies and business environment aligned with evolving global practices.
He also highlighted the importance of continued efforts to streamline the regulatory framework and address key areas affecting businesses and investment. He emphasised that reforms should focus on practical measures that can facilitate business activity, improve competitiveness, and support investment.
He discussed opportunities to mobilise international financing and investment through institutions such as the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the US Export-Import Bank (Exim). He emphasised the importance of presenting specific, commercially viable and investment-ready projects to potential investors and financing institutions.
The meeting also covered Pakistan’s tax policy and the ongoing work on a medium-term tax policy framework. The finance minister welcomed structured input from the business community and emphasised the importance of broad-based consultation in developing a tax system that supports investment, competitiveness and growth on a sustainable basis.
Ziad Bashir and Javed Kureishi appreciated the government’s continued engagement with the business community and welcomed the direction of economic and fiscal reforms.
