Islamabad: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved a series of regulatory reforms designed to improve Pakistan’s standing in the World Bank Group’s Business Ready (B READY) assessment. Pakistan has made notable progress in the Business Entry category of the B READY 2025 Report, securing the 17th spot among 101 economies with a score of 86.64. The newly approved reforms aim to address existing gaps and align the country’s business framework with leading international practices.

According to Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, one of the key reforms involves the expansion of automated sharing of updated company information with the Federal Board of Revenue via APIs. This initiative, carried out in coordination with the Board of Investment, seeks to streamline compliance and minimize redundancy for businesses.

The reforms also include making information about environmental approvals and operating permits available on SECP’s website, offering businesses a centralized reference point for regulatory requirements once the data is compiled by the relevant authorities. Additionally, SECP is enhancing access to information on publicly funded programs that support SMEs and women entrepreneurs through its digital platforms.

Furthermore, SECP plans to publish gender dataset statistics on newly incorporated companies, detailing the involvement of women as shareholders, directors, chief executives, and ultimate beneficial owners. These initiatives are aimed at earning additional points in the B READY assessment, contributing to further improvements in Pakistan’s future rankings.