The Board of Investment (BOI), in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), organized a two-day Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Needs Assessment Workshop at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. The workshop aims to enhance Pakistan’s understanding and implementation of the WTO’s Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement to attract and retain sustainable foreign investment.
The opening session was attended by distinguished representatives from the WTO, ITC, government ministries, regulatory agencies, and development partners. The event began with opening remarks by Mr. Ali Sarfraz Hussain, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the WTO; Mr. Jamil Ahmad Qureshi, Secretary, Board of Investment; Ms. Claudia Locatelli, Counsellor, Trade in Services and Investment Division, WTO; and Mr. Quan Zhao, Senior Programme Manager, Trade Policy, ITC.
Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain stated that the purpose of the workshop is to ensure that the investment process in Pakistan becomes smooth, transparent, and predictable. He emphasized that implementing the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement will help Pakistan identify the right pathways for reform, enhance coordination between public and private sector institutions, and improve the country’s overall investment ecosystem.
In his welcome address, Secretary BOI, Mr. Jamil Ahmad Qureshi, expressed his appreciation to the WTO, ITC and the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the WTO. He remarked that Pakistan’s active participation in the IFD Agreement reflects the country’s strong commitment to fostering a transparent, predictable, and business-friendly investment environment. The workshop, he added, serves as a milestone in assessing Pakistan’s existing investment facilitation framework, identifying potential gaps, and developing an implementation roadmap aligned with international best practices.
Secretary Qureshi further noted that investment facilitation requires a whole-of-government' approach, reinforcing the joint efforts of the BOI and the SIFC to fast-track investment procedures and ensure policy continuity. The participation of stakeholders from across institutions demonstrates Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen coordination and promote sustainable investment practices.
Experts from the WTO and ITC conducted technical sessions focusing on the IFD Agreement’s provisions, including transparency in investment measures, streamlining of procedures, and improving institutional coordination. Mr. Quan Zhao, Senior Programme Manager, Trade Policy, ITC, led a focused session on Leveraging Digital Tools for Investment Facilitation. His presentation highlighted international best practices for developing effective Investment Portals, emphasizing the use of technology to ensure ease of access to information, simplified application processes, and reduced time and cost for investors seeking licenses and permits in Pakistan.
The workshop also featured a critical session on Institutional Coordination for IFD Implementation led by Mr. Rashid S., a key expert from the WTO/Government of Pakistan. This session emphasized the necessity of a ‘whole-of-government’ strategy, detailing mechanisms for effective collaboration among central ministries, provincial authorities, and regulatory agencies to create a unified and predictable investor experience across the country. Along with this participants engaged in self-assessment exercises to identify national needs and priorities for effective implementation.
The Board of Investment appreciates the efforts of Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain, the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the WTO and Secretary Jamil Ahmad Qureshi for their leadership in promoting Pakistan’s investment facilitation agenda and coordinating effectively with international partners.
The workshop is part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency, streamline investment procedures, and strengthen its regulatory framework to create a more business-friendly environment for domestic and international investors.
The Board of Investment remains fully committed to advancing reforms that improve transparency, enhance facilitation, and position Pakistan as a competitive destination for global investment.
