Key points
- Pakistan ranks 17th among 101 economies for business entry
- Regulator publishes gender-based data on new companies
ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved a series of measures to further improve Pakistan’s performance in the World Bank’s Business Ready ranking, particularly in the business entry category.
Pakistan currently ranks 17th among 101 economies in the business entry category, with a score of 86.64, according to the SECP.
The measures are aimed at improving access to regulatory information, strengthening digital coordination among government institutions and enhancing transparency for businesses.
The SECP said information relating to company registration and post-registration changes was already being made available to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through an automated system.
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The SECP, FBR and the Board of Investment will also cooperate to exchange additional information to facilitate businesses and strengthen institutional coordination.
Information and links concerning environmental requirements and relevant permits will be provided on the SECP website. The improved mechanism would make it easier for businesses to access regulatory requirements.
Pakistan’s SMEs and women entrepreneurs
The regulator has also made information on government support programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women entrepreneurs available on its website.
As part of its transparency measures, the SECP has published gender-based statistics on newly registered companies. The data covered male and female shareholders, directors, chief executives and beneficial owners.
The SECP will also develop and publish gender-disaggregated datasets relating to company directors and beneficial owners.
The regulator said these measures would improve transparency, access to information and digital connectivity among government institutions, and help further strengthen Pakistan’s Business Ready performance and ranking.
