Business environment being improved: PM

Imran meets representatives of leading US firms doing business in country

APP July 17, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said the government was fully determined to extend all facilities to the investors and business community.

He said the government was making efforts to change that mindset and thinking of the past in which the profit earning business activities were considered as negative and heavy taxes were levied to discourage such trend.

The prime minister was talking to a delegation of US-Pakistan Business Council led by Dr Mahmood Khan.

The delegation included representatives of the prominent US companies doing business in Pakistan, said a press release of PM Office Media Wing.

Adviser on finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Investment Board Chairman Zubair Gilani and other senior officials were also present.

The prime minister welcomed the delegation and said during the 1970s, nationalisation policy had resulted in the stagnation of economic progress.

He said the government was paying special attention to ensure doing business was made easy and the ministries concerned and investment board had been continuously making efforts to facilitate investors.

"The business community will find the government receptive and responsive," the press release quoted the prime minister as saying.

The delegation comprised representatives from various companies including Abbot, Citibank, Exxon Mobil, Facebook, General Electric, Netsol, Pepsico, Proctor and Gamble, Uber, etc.

The US-Pakistan Business Council chairman apprised the prime minister about the different US companies working in Pakistan.

The representatives of the companies also apprised the prime minister about their business activities, trade volume and their role in the national economy.

They expressed their confidence in the government's policies especially provision of facilities to the investors and business community, registration process for the business activities and equal opportunities for doing business.

They also indicated further expansion in their business and investment activities in the country.

(With additional input from APP)