BOI set to expand BFCs’ network to provincial level

ISLAMABAD: The Board of Investment (BOI) is set to expand its network of Business Facilitation Centres (BFCs) to the provincial level to provide local and foreign small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with one-window facilitation services.

Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh stated this on Monday after he visited the BFC Islamabad, where he reviewed the Centre’s one-year performance, business and investment facilitation initiatives, and future roadmap.

The minister highlighted that this initiative targets the SME sector—which makes up 80 percent of the country’s business community—noting that smaller businesses often lack the resources that are usually available to larger corporations to navigate complex government regulations and tax processes.

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On the occasion, the minister was briefed on the BFC’s one-year performance, services being provided to businesses and investors, progress on applications, and plans to further expand the scope of facilitation services.

The minister said that the BFC, Islamabad, has demonstrated significant performance during its first year of operations.

From 20 August 2025 to 20 August 2026, a total of 7,709 applications were received from businesses and investors at the BFC, he added.

The Federal Minister said that the one-year performance of BFC Islamabad is encouraging; however, much greater progress is expected in the coming years. He said that the government would continue taking measures to make business and investment facilitation more effective and further simplify procedures for businesses.

He stated that during this period, 6,896 registrations, licenses, certificates and other permits were issued, while 4,920 applications were processed within the stipulated timeframe. A further 2,050 applications were processed beyond the stipulated timeframe, while expert guidance and consultation were provided in 845 cases.

He stated that through BFC facilitation, more than 4,100 new businesses were facilitated, investment exceeding Rs. 6.6 billion was facilitated, and more than 20,000 employment opportunities were supported.

He further stated that a total footfall of 8,554 individuals was recorded at the BFC during the year. The highest number of applications, 1,288, was received in December 2025, followed by 1,264 in January 2026 and 859 in July 2026.

Sheikh said that improving the Ease of Doing Business remains a key priority of the government so that local and foreign investors can start businesses, invest, and expand their business activities in Pakistan with greater ease.

He said that the BOI is also working on comprehensive reforms to eliminate unnecessary regulatory barriers faced by the business community. The objective of regulatory reforms is to reduce unnecessary procedures, paperwork, delays and institutional barriers and create a more conducive environment for business activity.

Sheikh said that the regulatory reforms being undertaken by the BOI aim to relieve the business community of unnecessary complexities and make the process of accessing government services easier, more transparent and faster. He said that the reform process would be further advanced to create an even more conducive environment for business and investment in Pakistan.

During his visit, Qaiser Sheikh also visited the desks of various ministries and relevant government departments established at the BFC. He reviewed the services being provided at these desks and the mechanisms for facilitating businesses and investors.

On the occasion, Certificates of Appreciation were also distributed among officers and staff in recognition of their contribution to the successful completion of the BFC’s first year.

The Federal Minister appreciated the services of the BFC team and said that the hard work and professional performance of its officers and staff had played an important role in the Centre’s achievements.

To mark the completion of one year since the establishment of BFC Islamabad, Sheikh also participated in a cake-cutting ceremony along with officers and staff. The occasion provided an opportunity to acknowledge the BFC’s one-year performance and reaffirm the commitment to further strengthen and improve the business facilitation system in the future.

The Federal Minister appreciated the services of the BFC management and young officers, saying that effective facilitation of the business community is among the government’s key priorities and that the BFC is playing an important role in translating this vision into practical outcomes.

The BOI remains committed to promoting investment, facilitating businesses, advancing regulatory reforms and creating a conducive business environment in Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026