Islamabad - Talks between the World Bank and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) will be held here today (Thursday) to develop short- and long-term reform recommendations for improving the regulatory environment for business.
A fact-finding mission of the World Bank is currently on 10-day visit to Pakistan from November 27 till December 7 wherein it will hold meetings with 24 different federal and provincial organisations, regulatory bodies and private companies. The meetings will take place in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
The objectives of the meetings are in-depth discussion on the procedures/time/cost and other aspects of business indicators.
The agencies/bodies scheduled to meet and have met the World Bank mission includes State Bank of Pakistan, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Sindh Board of Investment, Federal Board of Revenue, Employees’ Old Age Benefit Institution, NEPRA, Punjab Planning and Development, Industries and Labour departments, Lahore Development Authority, DG Punjab Land Records Authority, Punjab IT Board, Punjab Employees Social Security Institution, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Planning and Development Department Sindh, Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution, Labour, Excise and Taxation and Industries departments of Sindh, Sindh Revenue Board, Sindh Building Control Authority and K Electric.
During first two days, the mission met with BOI, SECP and FBR and discussed various matters related to trading across borders, paying taxes, protecting minority investors and resolving insolvency.
On the last day of stay in Islamabad, the mission will meet Nepra on Thursday and discuss the issue of getting electricity. The mission will start meeting with different department of Punjab on Friday in Lahore.
On 30th, the mission will discuss reforms with Planning and Development Department Punjab, the issue of construction permits with LDA and property registration with Punjab Land Authority. The mission will hold talks with LESCO on electricity matters.
On December 4, the mission will hold talks with government departments in Islamabad. On December 5, the mission will hold meetings with P&D Department Sindh on overall reforms. The mission will hold talks with Sindh Building Control Authority, Environment Department and Water Board on construction permits. On December 6, the mission will meet State Bank of Pakistan on getting credit, Sindh Board of Revenue on registering property and Sindh High Court. On December 7, the mission will hold meeting with K-Electric and with private sector organisations.
