Pakistan is a promise land for the businessmen and investors as it offers tremendous opportunities in every sector of life. Young, cheap and skilled labour, rail and road infrastructure and geographical location can be exploited to boost economic activities in the country. According to Atif Bajwa, the president of the Overseas Investors Chambers of Commerce and Industry, business, trade and investment opportunities are knocking the door of this country which need to be answered. At a reception organized by the Board of Investment, he said that the country has emerged as a survivor in the wake of challenges of the war on terrorism, political instability and natural disasters. He says that the country has been placed on the road of progress when many nations are facing recession. The world economy is struggling to gain momentum and to come out of the last financial crisis.
As a matter of fact, every country in the world is racing against time to attract foreign investment. Businessmen want security of their life and property and tend to invest their money in a country where there is political stability, tax concessions and limited regulatory barriers. Pakistan is a country of 200 million people 40 percent of which consists of young people. The country offers cheap and skilled labour force and business potentials for the local and foreign investors. Due to its geographical location, the country is a gateway not only for the Central Asian States and China, but also for most of the SAARC countries. The geographical location also makes Pakistan an attractive destination for Arab and European investors. OICCI consists of 195 leading investors from 35 countries with representation in 14 business sectors. According to a survey, the Business Confidence Index of the country rose from positive 1 percent in October 2014 to positive 18 percent in March this year.
The government has to take urgent steps to raise the country’s position in ease of doing business index in which it has recently dropped 10 points. Besides, it has to ensure smooth electricity supply, introduce structural reforms in the tax collection system and reduce electricity, oil and gas tariffs. The national currency is losing its strength which needs to be supported while the foreign investors need respect and regard from the government functionaries. No doubt the nation is resilient and survived every big shock, but it has to keep its house in order to convince the world community that Pakistan is a safer place for investment.
