The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has assured the business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) that it will work with federal and provincial authorities to resolve bottlenecks that are hindering business activity and investment. The council also said that it is pursuing regulatory reforms with the KP government in order to simplify business procedures and reduce regulatory hurdles. The assurance was given at an interactive meeting in Peshawar between the SIFC Director General (DG) and representatives of chambers of commerce, which was held to discuss the challenges facing businesses in the province and the ways in which the business and investment environment can be improved.
During the meeting, the DG briefed the participants on the mandate of the council, its institutional role, and the ongoing initiatives to facilitate investment and promote a business-friendly environment across the country, according to a press release. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts among the federal government, the provincial government, and the business community to tackle regulatory challenges. The collaboration that is already under way with the provincial government was also discussed in that context. The briefing gave the chamber representatives a clearer picture of how the council works and of the role it can play in matters that involve both federal and provincial institutions.
Representatives of the chambers shared the operational difficulties and bottlenecks that businesses face in the province, and they called for effective coordination with the relevant government departments so that outstanding issues can be resolved on time. SIFC officials heard these concerns in detail and reaffirmed the commitment of the council to addressing the bottlenecks that were identified during the discussion. The business community was assured that the council will continue to help resolve issues that are holding back business activity and investment in the province. Such direct feedback from traders and industrialists is important for the council, since many of the problems faced by businesses arise at the level of daily procedures and dealings with different departments.
The meeting gave SIFC a chance to engage directly with the provincial business community, and it underscored the role of public and private coordination in improving the business climate. The council said that it remains committed to working with the KP government and business stakeholders to address the concerns of the private sector, simplify regulatory processes, and create a conducive environment for business and investment in the province. No specific timelines or measures were mentioned in the press release, so the next steps are likely to depend on the follow up between the council, the provincial government, and the chambers on the issues that were raised in Peshawar.
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