ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday said ease of doing business and use of innovative strategies by incorporating digital technology was essential to ensuring sustainable business activities in the country.

Addressing the event of Asaan Karobar Programme in Islamabad, the president emphasised a regulatory yet conducive environment that facilitated the businessmen to easily launch and operate their activities.

President Alvi said a country’s prime interest was to promote business activities and stressed the importance of taking onboard the stakeholders for a successful policy formulation.

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He lauded the online portal launched by the Ministry of Commerce aimed at identifying regulatory obstacles and problems through active involvement of private sector and business associations.

He congratulated the State Bank of Pakistan, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Federal Board of Revenue for their coordinated efforts in ensuring a business-friendly environment in the country.

Dr Alvi also pointed out a few hiccups in the smooth flow of processes and the reasons for bureaucratic red-tapism, however stressed the need for changing mindsets and improving attitude towards work or businesses for better efficiency and deliverance.

In this regard, he said, minimising the human factor, increasing dependence on technology and adhering to timelines could prove helpful.

President Alvi also urged offering women in the country the opportunities of ease of business through digital setups, adding that an across the board inclusion of population could lead to vibrant and emergent middle class.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood highlighted the reforms that had been implemented by Board of Investment (BOI) to reduce compliance burden on businesses and to promote ease of doing business specifically in small and medium enterprises.