Private sector, media urged to reinforce Sindh business reforms

In collaboration with World Bank, Sindh Board of Investment (SBI) organized "Sindh Doing Business Reforms Exhibition," here on Thursday. Concerned departments showcased the ground-breaking reforms that have been introduced under the Doing Business Reforms in the province. The reforms are part of Sindh government's current focus on moving aggressively to transform the regulatory environment of the province to help make it the next business powerhouse. These efforts are part of the larger plan developed to introduce Doing Business reforms at the federal and provincial levels.
With regards to this endeavour, the Government has also formed Sindh Investment Climate Improvement Cell (SICIC) - a dedicated unit for execution of the reform agenda.
Muhammad Waseem, chairman Planning & Development Sindh and the first speaker at the event, expressed satisfaction that Sindh played a constructive role in integrating the economy of Pakistan.
"These business reforms will put our people on the trajectory of economic prosperity and will set a pattern for the province of Sindh," he said. SBI chairperson and focal person for DB Reforms, Naheed Memon, noted that there is increased commitment from the Sindh government and the Chief Minister Sindh. She also thanked the federal Board of Investment over their support.
"This is not just an effort of one hundred days; this is an ongoing effort that will evolve," she said. In her presentation she shared the success story of introducing these ground-breaking reforms in detail, lauding the efforts of concerned departments.
"We are always compared with Punjab. We are not just doing it better when it comes to these reforms; we are doing it quicker, even though Karachi is a bigger city with more complicated challenges," she said.
Memon said that she saw Pakistan on the verge of industrialization, and urged the private sector and the media to positively reinforce these efforts and encourage the Sindh government on these reforms. She also shared the results of the Twitter Poll in which it was asked "What is your biggest issue in Doing Business in Karachi?"
Amjad Bashir, Senior Economist from the World Bank, shared rankings of the Doing Business report of the World Bank and cited why these reforms are so integral to improving the investment climate in Pakistan. He also announced the 100 Days Sprint-2 and a 100 Days Sprint-3, a plan that will continue and follow up on the reforms' agenda. He attached importance to the steps that will lead to achieving the targets. He said that the four key pillars Beyond Sprint-1 are: Benchmark, Catch-Up, Promote and Feedback.
Speaking about the 100-Day Reforms, Country Director World Bank Patchamuthu Illango said that Pakistan needs 2 to 3 million new jobs every year. "For that you need significant investment from the private sector." He said that one hundred day Sprint would not be enough. "If we slow down, someone else will overtake you. The Sprint should turn into a Marathon, " he said, stressing on the importance of communication in the promise. He said private sector needs to know more about the reforms, the prevailing perceptions need to change, and everyone needs to be convinced about the importance of these reforms.
Shabana Khawar, Principal Country Officer of International Finance Corporation, echoed what Illango said. She further said that this effort must continue beyond hundred days.
KCCI president Mufassar Malik said that on behalf of the private sector, he extended full support to the Ease of Doing Business Sindh Reforms, and lauded the setting up of SICIC.
The event was attended by prominent people from both the public and private sectors with representation of all relevant government departments that have championed the cause of Doing Business reforms in Sindh.