The two-day Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Workshop, organized by the Board of Investment (BOI) in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) successfully concluded today in Islamabad. The workshop focused on translating the IFD Agreement into a concrete, action-oriented implementation roadmap for Pakistan.
The second day of the workshop brought together government representatives, international experts, and private sector participants for in-depth, technical sessions on practical measures to enhance the country’s investment ecosystem. Sessions were dedicated to cross-border cooperation, sustainable investment practices, and streamlining administrative procedures to attract long-term investment in line with global best practices.
Experts from the WTO and ITC led detailed discussions on key provisions of the IFD Agreement, specifically concerning Domestic Regulatory Coherence, Cross-Border Cooperation, and Sustainable Investment. Participants engaged in practical self-assessment exercises to analyze Pakistan’s current laws and practices against the IFD Agreement provisions, identifying potential gaps and outlining resources needed for effective future implementation.
Addressing the concluding session, Federal Minister for Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, highly appreciated the initiative of this workshop and all those involved in bringing it about. The Minister emphasized the critical role of investment, stating it as a crucial driver for a country’s economic development. He stated that the incredible export led growth achieved by nations like Vietnam and Thailand, propelled by robust investment facilitation efforts.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to creating a transparent and investor-friendly environment. The Minister recognised the vital need for facilitation for investment to accelerate economic growth and ensure that ease of doing business remains a top priority. He stated, “Transparent and globally competitive investment policies are key to accelerating Pakistan’s economic growth.”
The Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh reaffirmed that Board of Investment will continue to enhance investment facilitation in coordination with WTO for active and effective global engagement. He further thanked all participants and experts for their valuable input, noting that the workshop provided a clear way forward for reforms.
Offering his concluding remarks, Mr. Ali Sarfaraz Hussain, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the WTO, appreciated the initiative, specifically commending the BOI and its preparedness in driving the national investment facilitation agenda.
The Minister presented souvenirs and commemorative shields to the international experts and key participants, acknowledging their valuable input and collaboration.
The Board of Investment under the leadership of Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh remains fully committed to promoting investor confidence and strengthening Pakistan’s investment framework in line with global standards.
