PM Shehbaz Inaugurates Pakistan’s First Business Facilitation Center
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated Pakistan’s first-ever Business Facilitation Center (BFC), aimed at promoting ease of doing business and attracting investment through a one-stop solution for investors and entrepreneurs.
Established by the Board of Investment (BOI), the center will provide a wide range of services including business registration, licensing, permits, and guidance on regulatory requirements. The initiative is designed to cut red tape and create a direct, efficient link between businesses and government institutions.
A Model for Investment Facilitation
During the inauguration, the prime minister was briefed on the center’s services, which include assistance for special economic zones, licensing, and payment procedures with reduced timelines.
He unveiled the project plaque and expressed his vision to replicate such centers nationwide if they deliver the desired results.
PM Shehbaz praised BOI Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Secretary BOI, and their team for establishing the center and hiring a skilled workforce dedicated to serving investors.
Focus on Investor Support
The prime minister stressed that the center should operate with efficiency and a welcoming approach.
“This must not remain just brick and mortar. Customers should be welcomed with a smiling face and genuine support without any delay,” he said.
He further emphasized that the BFC should become a model for international investors and a foundation for similar centers across the country.
A Breakthrough in Ease of Doing Business
BOI Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh hailed the launch as a major breakthrough in investment facilitation, saying that investors previously had to visit multiple departments to complete procedures. The new system, however, will save time and significantly reduce hassles.
At the center, investors can now submit applications for special economic zones or other projects by providing details such as the nature of business, loan and equity structure, target market, export potential, employment generation, and utility requirements.
The system will also maintain an activity log, reflect attached documents, and allow applicants to track the progress of their applications. Any shortcomings will be communicated promptly to ensure transparency.
Attendees
Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ahad Cheema, and Dr. Musadik Malik, along with senior government officials, attended the inauguration ceremony.
