ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said government is firmly committed to reducing the cost of doing business and improve country’s ranking in the ease of doing business index.

Khan was chairing the first meeting of the newly constituted Council of Business Leaders.

The premier said in order to strengthen local industry and reduce cost of production, gas prices have been reduced for five export-oriented industries so as to make domestic products internationally competitive, an official statement reported.

He said the government was also considering reduction in various duties - including customs, regulatory and others — to further reduce the business cost. Khan continued that the government is also working on developing a national tariff policy to address issues of the business community and remove anomalies in the existing tariff structure.

Regarding improving the country’s ranking in ease of doing business index, prime minister said the government is aiming to get Pakistan under 100 by extending maximum facilitation and simplification of the procedures.

He said a special Complaint and Suggestion Cell is being established at the Board of Investment to facilitate redressal of the business community’s complaints and welcome their suggestions with regards to relevant policies.

The cell, be connected to Prime Minister Office, would be functional in a week’s time, Khan claimed.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2018