By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: The Senior Vice President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Tanveer A. Sheikh, has expressed serious concern over the findings of the latest Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Confidence Survey conducted by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which indicates that nearly 80 percent of foreign companies operating in Pakistan are either postponing new investment plans or reviewing existing commitments.
In his statement, Sheikh noted that the survey highlights a growing sense of unease among both local and international investors due to persistent economic uncertainty. He pointed out that inflationary pressures, high energy tariffs, policy inconsistency, and regional geopolitical tensions are collectively undermining investor sentiment at a critical time for Pakistan’s economic recovery and growth.
He stressed that Pakistan is in urgent need of increased foreign direct investment, industrial expansion, and job creation, but declining confidence levels are creating serious challenges for long-term economic planning. According to him, without consistent and investor-friendly policies, the country risks losing potential capital inflows to more stable regional markets.
The LCCI leadership emphasized that unpredictable regulatory frameworks and frequent changes in taxation policies are also discouraging business expansion. He added that investors require stability, transparency, and continuity in economic policymaking to make long-term commitments, especially in manufacturing, services, and export-oriented sectors.
Sheikh further stated that energy costs remain one of the most pressing concerns for industry, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises already struggling with rising operational expenses. He urged the government to consider immediate reforms aimed at reducing production costs and improving industrial competitiveness.
He also called for stronger public-private dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust between policymakers and the business community. In his view, meaningful engagement with chambers of commerce and industry stakeholders is essential for designing sustainable economic policies.
Reiterating the urgency of the situation, he warned that declining investor confidence could slow down economic recovery efforts and weaken Pakistan’s position in regional investment competition. He urged policymakers to prioritize consistency, investor facilitation, and structural reforms to restore confidence.
The statement concluded with a call for coordinated efforts between government institutions and the private sector to stabilize economic conditions and create a predictable environment for investment, innovation, and growth in Pakistan, particularly in major commercial hubs such as Lahore.
