Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has said that the government will work closely with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to promote investment, facilitate the business community and accelerate industrial growth. The business community must be involved in policymaking, regulatory matters and economic decisions, as industrialists and traders understand ground realities and business challenges.

Speaking at the LCCI, Sheikh said that the business community should not merely be informed about policies but they should be actively involved in their formulation. “Government departments should consult chambers of commerce and industrial representatives before making decisions concerning regulations, business standards and investment, ensuring that policies remain practical and do not create unnecessary obstacles to commercial activities.”

The minister said an effective one-window facilitation system was essential to save investors from visiting multiple departments and facing unnecessary delays in obtaining approvals and the BOI and the government were doing a lot in that regard. He assured the business community that the BOI would maintain close coordination with the LCCI to address investment-related issues.

The federal minister described the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as an important step to attract investment. He said allocating land alone was insufficient. Roads, infrastructure and other essential facilities must also be provided to attract investors and encourage the establishment of industries.

Sheikh also highlighted plans to utilise 6,000 acres of Pakistan Steel Mills’ land in Karachi as an SEZ. He invited investors to avail themselves of the opportunities, adding that the effective use of large industrial landholdings, supported by adequate infrastructure, could create new opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, industrial investment and exports.

He said local industrial competitiveness, production capacity and export potential should be considered while formulating trade policies. He stressed that investors needed a predictable business environment, clear regulations and consistency in government decisions to make long-term investment plans with confidence.

LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar said the business community played a vital role in economic growth, employment generation and investment, but actions of government departments and the exercise of discretionary powers were creating difficulties for industrialists and traders. He said that the LCCI did not oppose the implementation of laws and regulations. However, enforcement methods should not unnecessarily disrupt legitimate business activities. Instead of immediately registering FIRs, sealing business premises or taking harsh action over minor or rectifiable violations, authorities should provide businesses with reasonable time and an opportunity to address the shortcomings.

Asghar also stressed the need to review relevant laws, including the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency Act and the Punjab Food Authority Act and consider necessary amendments. He said the LCCI was reviewing relevant legislation and would put forward proposals for consideration at the provincial and national levels. He said the tax system should build confidence among taxpayers, reduce unnecessary disputes and facilitate compliance rather than create avoidable difficulties for businesses.

The LCCI president said that several industries in Lahore had been operating for five to 30 years but were now facing relocation notices from the Lahore Development Authority and other departments. He called for a clear, uniform and transparent industrial relocation policy, with reasonable deadlines and alternative industrial sites.