KARACHI: Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) has proposed a Pakistan National Business Agenda 2013 (PNBA) for the government and private sector aimed at identifying problems and challenges affecting business growth, employment, revenue generation, low productivity, and other core issues in the economy.
The PNBA is a part of EFP’s advocacy campaign for creating and enabling a favourable environment for business growth providing a level playing field to the business community to effectively play its part in economic development, employment generation and to build a softer image of Pakistan abroad.
This was stated by President, Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, Mr. K. M. Nauman in a press conference held on Monday at Karachi Press Club. The agenda comprises on issues and solution of energy sector, maintenance of law and order throughout the country, eradication of corruption, recovery of economic growth, youth empowerment and development, broadening of taxpayers base, development of infrastructure and SMEs, enhancement in labour productivity, promoting of regional trade and women empowerment and development.
The EFP also decided to engage with government actively and frequently, and play a key role in formulating policy advice to the government. EFP focuses, not simply on pure economic issues, but also on broader socio-economic issues including health and education, he said.
He explained the development of the PNBA involved intense interaction with members of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan. We want to develop a strong liaison with the new political leadership to play a role effectively in economic development, employment generation, building momentum for business activities and export enhancement. We intend to engage the government and help it to achieve these objectives, EFP President said.
He hoped the new government will have better opportunity to identify and resolve Pakistan’s social and economic issues collectively. There is no denying that the challenges which the new government faces are huge, but given the need to resolve them, there is also a sense of collective commitment to do so.
He demanded the new government and private sector should create employment opportunities in different sectors to accommodate two million young people in the economic activities through improving security and energy situation, development of infrastructure and business environment on priority basis.
The PNBA recommends a business agenda leading towards prosperity. Around 17 major issues have been defined and analysed and a 7 Cs strategy is proposed to achieve a prosperous Pakistan. The seventeen point agenda indicating major problems and obstacles impeding business and economic growth and possible solutions to resolve them.
This strategy is composed of creating a conducive industrial climate; a consistent industrial, labour and employment policy; consolidating and simplifying labour legislation; reducing the cost of doing business; decent employment; skills development; women empowerment; corporate driven good governance, and continuous on-going dialogue with business.
About Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP):
The Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) represents over 550 national and multinational organizations, important chambers and industrial associations. It is Pakistan’s oldest and most representative institution of employers. EFP is the only employers’ organization affiliated with the International Organization of Employers in Geneva and is the prime stake holder as employers’ representative body involved in tripartite consultation in matters of legal legislation and social dialogue. This unique position enables EFP to appreciate the problems and issues that businesses face and how and to what extent the economic and social environment of Pakistan affects the wellbeing of people and businesses.
The Employers’ Federation of Pakistan has made much use of the experience and ideas of its many members while drafting this paper. Although EFP has arrived at the recommendations independently, yet some of them overlap with the recommendations made by political parties in their manifestos prior to the elections. While some of the issues raised in the PNBA are federal level issues which the federal government in Pakistan will have to tackle, others, after the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, have been devolved to the provincial governments. Hence, the PNBA addresses the federal government where required, and the four provincial governments where their focus and responsibility is particularly important.
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