Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday took into confidence the business community vowing to unveil a proper economic reform agenda to steer the country out of the current economic crisis. Also, the PM assured that his government was making all-out efforts to promote and protect business and investment in the country.
During his day-long official visit to Karachi, the PM met with delegations of various trade associations, industrialists, provincial government officials, Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) representatives, Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) officials political party leaders etc and assured them to protect and promote the overall business environment in the country.
In an interactive session with the managing committee members of Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) at the Governor''s House the PM promised full support to foreign investors in addressing their issues and also shared salient points of the government''s economic recovery strategy. "We are working on a clear path for recovery and that the benefit of the revised economic strategy will be visible during the next six to nine months" Imran said.
The Prime Minister promised to unveil in the coming weeks a proper economic reform agenda showing a clear road map for taking the country out of the current economic crisis. In a meeting with a delegation of the office bearers and brokers of Pakistan Stock Market Exchange headed by PSX''s Chairman Suleman Mehdi, the Prime Minister said his purpose of visit was to seek suggestions from traders and industrialists for the betterment of the national economy.
The PM was briefed about the existing issues faced by the stock market and brokers. They agreed to widen the tax base, promotion of IT in stock market and curb the issue of illegal payments. The delegation put forward proposals for financial stability. They assured that they would extend all out support to the government for its financial policies.
However; Imran assured them that his government was taking necessary steps bring stability to the market. Unlike the previous governments, Imran said that the [PTI-led] government has come up with a different mindset and approach. Our aim is to ensure promotion of businesses and investment and to bring stability to the market.
The Federal Finance Minister Asad Umar, Planning Minister Khusro Bakhtiar, Water Resources Minister Faisal Vawda, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi, IT Minister Khalid Maqbol Siddiqui, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, State Minister Hammad Azhar, PM''s Adviser Dr Ishrat Hussain and Special Assistants to PM Naeemul Haq and Iftikhar Durrani were also present.
Earlier in morning, the Governor Sindh Imran Ismail received the PM at the Airport, while special security arrangements were made during the PM''s visit in the city.
Police and Rangers personnel were deputed at various points right from the Airport till Governor House to maintain law and order. A delegation of KCCI also called on the PM and put forward their demands. The delegation included prominent industrialists Siraj Qasim Teli, Tahir Khaliq, Haroon Agar, Shamim Firpo and Junaid Ismail Makda.
Irfan Wahab Khan, President OICCI offered recommendations towards creating a conducive and enabling environment for FDI. He emphasized on the need for "predictability and consistency of policy and its implementation, as the investors can take market risk but have difficulty in managing systematic risk".
OICCI expects that a new Industrial Policy will be developed during 2019 to give direction to new investment in the country. Irfan Wahab offered OICCI expertise in boosting FDI and on improving Ease of Doing Business and building up a positive image of the country overseas by sharing successful strategies which has worked internationally in boosting investment and exports.
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