The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has called for Pakistan to use recent macroeconomic stabilization gains to accelerate private investment, exports, energy security and structural reforms during a meeting with a visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation.
The delegation, comprising IMF Advisor Iva Petrova and Resident Representative Mahir Binici, met senior OICCI leadership and representatives of member multinational companies at the Chamber on Thursday.
The Chamber highlighted a decline in foreign direct investment despite improvements in Pakistan’s external position and sovereign credit profile. It noted that net FDI fell by around 32 percent to $1.7 billion in FY2026 and called for lower regulatory and compliance burdens, stronger investor protection and clearer coordination between federal and provincial authorities.
OICCI also emphasized the need for domestic industry to lead by reinvesting in Pakistan, saying foreign investors take cues from the confidence demonstrated by local businesses.
Amid higher oil prices linked to the Middle East war, the Chamber called for immediate energy conservation and a medium-term plan to improve energy self-sufficiency. It also sought a coherent energy security strategy covering power, gas and petroleum, citing high regional energy costs, circular debt, the need for investment in refining and opportunities for regional energy cooperation.
On the external sector, OICCI said Pakistan cannot sustain higher growth without expanding its ability to earn foreign exchange.
It called for greater competitiveness and productivity, stronger export-oriented sectors, deeper trade and investment ties with key markets, and greater regional trade where commercially viable.
The Chamber also called for faster state-owned enterprise reform and credible privatization where continued state ownership has no compelling policy rationale. It urged separation of the state’s roles as policymaker, regulator, facilitator and commercial operator to create greater space for private sector investment and competition.
OICCI further called for broadening taxation into under-taxed segments, including agriculture, real estate, SMEs and retail, instead of repeatedly increasing the burden on documented businesses.
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