Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday pledged swift resolution of regulatory and operational issues facing British investors and multinational corporations, assuring the international business community that Sindh would continue pursuing investor-friendly reforms, regulatory simplification and policy consistency to attract fresh investment and facilitate business expansion.
Chairing a high-level Pakistan-UK Roundtable of Multinational Corporations and UK-based firms operating in Sindh, organised in collaboration with the British Deputy High Commission, the Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to creating a transparent, predictable and globally competitive business environment. He said the provincial administration was determined to remove barriers to investment, strengthen public-private engagement and position Sindh as the preferred destination for international investors.
The roundtable brought together representatives of leading British companies, multinational corporations, the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), senior officials of the British High Commission and key provincial ministers and secretaries to discuss investment climate challenges, regulatory reforms and measures to improve ease of doing business.
The meeting was attended by British Deputy High Commissioner Alison Blackburne, Director Trade Vanessa Montgomery, Counsellor and Group Head Economics and Trade Elena Mylona, Economist Meran Annalingam, Private Sector Development Adviser Maryam Riaz, Political Adviser Huda Ikram, Trade Adviser Sarah Peng, Deputy Trade Director Zainab Mahmood, along with representatives of Oxford University Press, Haleon, British International Investment, GSK, Reckitt, Unilever, Standard Chartered Bank, UBL, AstraZeneca, OICCI and other leading firms.
Among the Sindh government participants were Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Investment and Public-Private Partnerships Syed Qasim Naveed, Chairman Sindh Revenue Board, Chairman Planning & Development Board, Additional Chief Secretary Home and senior officials from the Finance, Industries, Labour, Transport, Social Protection and Investment departments.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the objective of the roundtable was not merely to hear investors’ concerns but to resolve them through practical and time-bound measures.
“Today’s session was designed with a specific purpose: to listen. We have heard your concerns directly, and I want to assure you that these are not just notes on a page. I have directed my team to treat these grievances as urgent matters requiring immediate and concrete action,” he said.
The Chief Minister acknowledged challenges relating to regulatory procedures, taxation, infrastructure, utilities and inter-agency coordination, stressing that the government would work closely with businesses to remove impediments affecting investment and growth.
“A government’s primary duty to its investors is to provide stability, transparency and consistency. We are not only focused on attracting new investment; we are equally committed to ensuring that our existing investors thrive and expand their operations in Sindh,” he said.
Murad Shah highlighted the province’s ongoing efforts to simplify administrative procedures, digitise public services and improve institutional coordination.
“Our goal is to create an ecosystem that is predictable, efficient and globally competitive. We want investors to view us as partners, not merely regulators,” he remarked.
The Chief Minister said British companies had made significant contributions to Sindh’s economy through investment, employment generation, technology transfer and corporate best practices.
“Sindh is open for business. We value the trust British companies have placed in our province and remain committed to strengthening this partnership through mutual respect, cooperation and shared prosperity,” he added.
Earlier, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Investment and Public-Private Partnerships Syed Qasim Naveed welcomed the participants and described the roundtable as a results-oriented platform aimed at addressing investors’ concerns and strengthening the province’s investment climate.
He said the government wanted discussions to translate into tangible outcomes and institutional improvements.
