OICCI President, Ghias Uddin Khan, Vice President Amir Paracha, and CE/Secretary General, OICCI, M. Abdul Aleem, held an interactive session with the senior media representatives in Islamabad, to unveil the salient features of ‘OICCI Perception and Investment Survey (PIS) Report 2021’, on March 7, 2022. The Report has been presented to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, prior to this media briefing. They were accompanied by MC Members, Ahmed Zahid Zaheer, Markus Strohmeier, Erum Shakir, Ali Ahmed Khan and Ali Asghar Jamali.
The OICCI PIS is a biennial Report presents an array of insights, shedding light on both the concerns on the current business environment, as well as the confidence of OICCI members on the growth potential of the country.
Ghias Uddin Khan highlighted that foreign investor are largely positive on several business climate parameters. OICCI members forecast healthy growth of their respective business entities in Pakistan with an overwhelming 80 percent of respondents willing to recommend new FDI in Pakistan. Mr. Khan added that “Whilst there is still dissatisfaction expressed by the respondents with several areas of doing business, the case for business growth potential and opportunities in Pakistan is supported by over 65 percent of survey respondents indicating their plans to make new investments, out of which 8 out of 10 respondents plan to invest more or similar amounts over the next 1 to 5 years, as compared to the investments they made in the previous corresponding period”.
Foreign investors’ sentiments about the investment and operating conditions in Pakistan, in comparison with regional countries have shown notable improvement. Pakistan’s IOC perception of being “Better” has improved with respect to India, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Philippines but behind Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE and China. Survey respondents have been positively influenced, amongst other considerations, by measures easing business operations such as improved banking infrastructure, access to local financing avenues, and repatriation of profits. However, concerns have been shown on delayed tax refunds and volatile exchange rates.
Abdul Aleem emphasized on the need for predictable, consistent, and transparent policy framework and its fair implementation. Governance issues, including ‘Gap in Policy implementation’ continue to remain an area of serious concern along with increasing tax burden and cost of doing business. These factors not only hinder business environment but also contribute to lower FDI in the future. The survey also highlighted sector-wise issues which OICCI intends to take up with the concerned stakeholders.
OICCI members have mentioned that at times, policies and regulations tend to be inconsistent and abruptly introduced with ineffective enforcement. The performance of regulatory bodies also reveals a mixed perception and concerns have been expressed over the excessive regulatory environment in certain areas.
Going forward Amir Paracha commented; the largely positive feedback from foreign investors through PIS 2021 survey need to be leveraged by all the key stakeholders, especially those in the federal and provincial government, and institutions like Board of Investment, FBR, and other regulatory bodies. The issues identified need to be addressed on priority and opportunities are to be explored with speed and determination so that Pakistan can accelerate its growth momentum and attract large FDI.
To achieve this, regular and structured engagement with foreign investors, along with a predictable, transparent, and consistent policy framework is imperative. Simplifying the tax regime and increasing positive visibility of Pakistan at international forums will also contribute to improving the perception of the business environment of Pakistan.