Key Takeaways
- OICCI urges Pakistan to accelerate private investment and exports.
- Chamber highlights decline in foreign direct investment despite economic improvements.
- Calls for lower regulatory burdens and clearer coordination between federal and provincial authorities.
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has called for Pakistan to enhance investment freedom and structural reforms, according to a meeting with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation.
During the meeting, which took place on Thursday, the OICCI highlighted a decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) to $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2026, a 32 percent decrease from previous years.
The Chamber emphasized the need for lower regulatory and compliance burdens, stronger investor protection, and clearer coordination between federal and provincial authorities to attract more foreign investment.
In response to higher oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict, the OICCI called for immediate energy conservation measures and a medium-term plan to improve energy self-sufficiency.
The Chamber also sought a coherent energy security strategy covering power, gas, and petroleum, citing high regional energy costs, circular debt, and the need for investment in refining and regional energy cooperation.
On the external sector, OICCI stressed the importance of expanding Pakistan's ability to earn foreign exchange, calling for greater competitiveness and productivity, stronger export-oriented sectors, and deeper trade and investment ties with key markets.
The Chamber further called for faster state-owned enterprise reform and credible privatization where continued state ownership has no compelling policy rationale, urging a separation of the state’s roles as policymaker, regulator, facilitator, and commercial operator.
OICCI also advocated for broadening taxation into under-taxed segments, such as agriculture, real estate, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and retail, instead of repeatedly increasing the burden on documented businesses.
