Celina Ali
Islamabad: UK Deputy High Commissioner Alison Blackburne and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah this week convened senior representatives of British companies, multinational corporations and investors to discuss reforms aimed at improving Pakistan’s investment climate and promoting sustainable economic growth.
The high-level roundtable, held in partnership between the UK Government and the Government of Sindh, focused on strengthening investor confidence by addressing key issues influencing investment decisions, including policy predictability, taxation, regulatory frameworks, foreign exchange processes, infrastructure and the overall ease of doing business.
Speaking at the event, Deputy British High Commissioner Alison Blackburne said British companies had maintained a long-standing presence in Pakistan, making significant contributions to employment, skills development and economic growth.
“British companies have invested in Pakistan for decades, creating jobs, transferring knowledge and contributing to the country’s economic growth. We want to see that partnership continue to grow,” she said.
Blackburne added that the UK was working closely with Pakistani government partners to simplify regulations, strengthen public institutions and remove unnecessary barriers that hinder business activity, creating a more enabling environment for domestic and international investors.
Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah welcomed the longstanding contribution of British businesses to Sindh’s economy and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to advancing reforms that improve the province’s investment environment. He stressed the importance of continued collaboration with development partners to enhance taxation systems, customs procedures, regulatory practices, digitalisation and investment facilitation.
The participants also reviewed progress made under UK-supported reform initiatives. More than 500 regulatory reforms have been approved over the past year to streamline regulations, strengthen governance, improve institutional capacity and reduce compliance burdens on businesses.
The meeting also highlighted the UK’s support for Karachi’s implementation of the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-READY) framework, an initiative designed to identify and remove practical obstacles facing businesses in areas such as business registration, taxation, access to utilities and commercial dispute resolution.
Participants agreed that sustained policy reforms, stronger public-private engagement and an improved regulatory environment would help attract greater foreign investment, boost private sector growth and contribute to Pakistan’s long-term economic development.
