PR No.328 IMPROVEMENT OF PAKISTAN’S RANKING IN THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS, 2017 Islamabad

The World Bank launched Doing Business report 2017 on 25^th Oct. 2016. Pakistan improved its position from 148 (DB-2016) of 189 to 144 (DB-2017) out of 190 countries under the new methodology.  On the Distance to Frontier (DTF) metric, Pakistan’s score went up from 49.48 (DB2016) to 51.77 (DB2017), using a comparable methodology.

Pakistan’s performance in the Doing Business 2017 is encouraging, as a beginning of a reform process that needs to be sustained in the coming years to make long-term improvements. The country is recognized as one in the list of ten economies making the biggest improvements in their business regulations – the only from South Asia.

Board of Investment, Economic Reform Unit (ERU), Finance Division and Prime Minister’s Office has worked hard to achieve this target including assistance / coordination from all provincial governments. However, for further improvement in ranking 2018 an Action Plan for improving the Pakistan ranking in the Doing Business, 2018 has been prepared. According to the Action Plan, following actions will be taken:

• To sensitize the provincial governments/authorities concerned  of the significance of the doing business reforms in the country for creating an enabling and competitiveness investment/business environment for attracting FDI  in the country and to initiate reforms measures in each province.

• To disseminate information / update the private sector about reform measures already taken in various business indicators by the relevant government Authorities so that a correct data/information may be conveyed to the WBG.

• To pursue the targets assigned to federal/provincial stakeholders for reducing number of processes, time period and cost involved in respective business indicator (s).

• To increase utilization of Fast Track Service (FTS) / Virtual One Stop Shops (VOSS) in registering businesses so that the same may be reflected in DB-2018.

• To increase utilization of online land management system at Karachi.

• To pursue M/o Law and Justice for  computerized judicial system and establishment of Commercial Courts to settle business disputes in Karachi.

• To pursue FBR/Customs Authorities  for expansion of  Web-Based software for Custom clearance (WeBOC) to SBP, NTC and other authorities, concerned.

• To pursue Sindh/Punjab Governments for development of one web portal for Construction Permits  and one web portal for paying provincial taxes at Karachi and Lahore.