Karachi: In a significant development aimed at bolstering the industrial sector and economic stability,
Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, announced the establishment of a Business Facilitation Center
in the province. The announcement came following a meeting with prominent industry figures, including
Patron-in-Chief of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Caretaker Minister of Industry
and Trade, SM Tanveer, and the President of the Pakistan Business Group (PBGO), Faraz-ur-Rehman.
The meeting, which took place on Monday, marks a pivotal step in Punjab’s commitment to supporting
industrialists, fostering small and medium enterprises, and promoting agricultural development and
food security. Chief Minister Naqvi revealed that the Business Facilitation Center is scheduled to
commence operations on December 1, offering a one-stop solution for industrialists, streamlining
services that were previously spread across multiple institutions. This modern facility is anticipated to
provide a wide range of services all under one roof.
In his address, SM Tanveer, KATI’s Patron-in-Chief and Caretaker Minister of Industry and Trade for
Punjab, underscored the government’s critical role in advancing industrialization and economic
improvement. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts with stakeholders to enhance
economic stability and provide top-notch facilities to industrialists and investors, not only in Punjab but
also across the country. SM Tanveer expressed his desire for a unified, one-window facility available to
industrialists nationwide.
Faraz-ur-Rehman, President of KATI and Founder President of the Pakistan Business Group (PBGO),
welcomed the announcement of the Business Facilitation Center, deeming it a significant stride toward
economic stability. He highlighted the center’s potential to deliver timely, international-standard
services from various institutions, thereby saving valuable time and reducing capital expenditures for
industrialists. Moreover, Faraz-ur-Rehman encouraged other provinces to adopt a similar system to
facilitate business communities efficiently, citing the need to streamline administrative and legal
processes, which have been a deterrent to investors and industrialists in Pakistan.
While acknowledging the introduction of the Pakistan Single Window system, Faraz-ur-Rehman
expressed concerns about its delayed implementation and the insufficient facilities provided to the
business community. He expressed optimism that Punjab’s Business Facilitation Center would mitigate
the hardships faced by the business community, providing prompt and uninterrupted services,
ultimately boosting investments and stabilizing the economy.
In conclusion, the Business Facilitation Center’s launch in Punjab signifies a positive step toward
fostering economic growth and stability, with the potential to inspire similar initiatives across the
country. The move has been met with enthusiasm and high hopes from industry leaders and
stakeholders.
