The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged Pakistan to use economic gains to attract private investment. The chamber made the demand during a meeting with a visiting International Monetary Fund delegation on Thursday.
The delegation included IMF Advisor Iva Petrova and Resident Representative Mahir Binici. They met senior OICCI officials and representatives of multinational companies to discuss investment and economic challenges.
OICCI Calls for Investment Reforms
The chamber highlighted a decline in foreign direct investment despite improvements in Pakistan’s external position. It said net FDI fell around 32 percent to $1.7 billion during fiscal year 2026.
Therefore, OICCI called for lower regulatory burdens, stronger investor protection and better coordination between federal and provincial authorities. It also urged local businesses to reinvest domestically and demonstrate confidence in Pakistan’s economy.
The chamber said foreign investors often consider the confidence shown by domestic companies before making investment decisions. It also stressed the need for structural reforms to support long-term economic growth.
Energy Security and Export Growth
Amid higher oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict, OICCI called for immediate energy conservation measures. It also sought a medium-term strategy covering electricity, gas and petroleum to strengthen energy security.
The chamber highlighted high regional energy costs and circular debt as major concerns. It further called for investment in refining and greater opportunities for regional energy cooperation.
On exports, OICCI said Pakistan needs stronger foreign exchange earnings to sustain higher economic growth. It called for greater productivity, competitive export sectors and deeper trade ties with key international markets.
The chamber also urged faster state-owned enterprise reforms and credible privatisation where continued government ownership lacks a policy justification. Additionally, it called for broader taxation of under-taxed sectors, including agriculture, real estate, SMEs and retail.
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