Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met with Pakistan Business Council (PBC) leaders to discuss strategies for enhancing investment, strengthening business competitiveness, and promoting private-sector-led growth in Pakistan.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting included discussions with Mr. Ziad Bashir, the newly elected Chairman of the PBC, and Mr. Javed Kureishi, Chief Executive Officer of PBC. The talks focused on regulatory reforms, digital transformation, and fostering a business environment conducive to competitiveness in evolving markets. The Finance Minister stressed the need for businesses to adopt technological advancements and new business models to remain efficient.

The meeting emphasized the importance of actionable engagement between the government and the business community. The Finance Minister called on the PBC to conduct sector-specific research and offer practical recommendations to facilitate informed policymaking. Senator Aurangzeb also highlighted the value of learning from international experiences to align Pakistan’s policies with global practices.

Discussions included opportunities for international financing and investment, notably through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The Finance Minister advocated for presenting commercially viable projects to potential investors.

Tax policy was another focal point, with discussions on a medium-term framework. The Finance Minister invited input from the business community to develop a tax system that supports sustainable growth. Both Mr. Bashir and Mr. Kureishi expressed appreciation for the government’s engagement and economic reforms, describing the Federal Budget as promising and affirming PBC’s commitment to contributing to Pakistan’s economic development.