PM Shehbaz inaugurates facilitation centre as one-stop solution to investors, entrepreneurs

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially opened Pakistan’s inaugural Business Facilitation Center (BFC), aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business and drawing investment into the country by offering investors and entrepreneurs a comprehensive, one-stop platform.

This center, developed by the Board of Investment, is designed to support the business community by providing extensive services, including guidance on regulatory compliance and assistance with business registration, licensing, and permits.

The facility is intended to simplify processes by serving as a single point of contact, minimizing obstacles and fostering smooth communication between businesses and government agencies.

During the inauguration, the prime minister was briefed on the center’s operations, which cover investor support, applications for special economic zones, licensing procedures, and payment systems, all streamlined with significantly shortened timelines.

He also unveiled a commemorative plaque for the project and expressed his commitment to replicating this model nationwide, provided it meets its goals.

Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed gratitude to Board of Investment Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, the Secretary of BOI, and their team for establishing the country’s first facilitation center, highlighting the recruitment of a highly skilled and capable workforce dedicated to serving customers.

Speaking to the attendees, the prime minister urged all relevant departments to ensure the center operates effectively by offering genuine, prompt assistance to investors and other stakeholders, stressing the importance of welcoming clients warmly and avoiding delays.

He envisioned the center becoming not only efficient but also appealing and well-regarded internationally, setting a standard for similar facilities to be introduced across Pakistan. 
Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh described the center’s creation as a major milestone in easing investment processes.

Previously, investors had to navigate multiple departments to complete the necessary formalities for launching their businesses, but the BFC now significantly cuts down on this complexity and time.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also toured various service desks within the center, where officials explained that investors would be able to submit applications for special economic zones or other ventures by providing details about their business nature, financing structure, target markets, export prospects, job creation expectations, and utility needs.

The system will also display all supporting documents and maintain an activity log, enabling applicants to monitor the progress of their submissions and receive timely notifications about any issues that need attention.

The event was attended by several federal ministers including Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ahad Cheema, and Dr. Musadik Malik, along with senior government officials.