Punjab names additional deputy commissioners as business focal persons
The Punjab government has designated additional deputy commissioners (Headquarters) as Ease of Doing Business focal persons in every district. A two-day workshop for them began at the Civil Secretariat in Lahore.
- Additional deputy commissioners (Headquarters) are now Ease of Doing Business focal persons in all Punjab districts.
- A two-day workshop for them began at the Civil Secretariat on Monday.
- Inspection data will go onto an online dashboard linked to the e-Biz portal.
The Punjab government has designated additional deputy commissioners (Headquarters) across the province as official focal persons for Ease of Doing Business in their districts. The aim is to turn districts into centres of economic growth and industrialisation.
According to the reports, the arrangement is meant to remove red tape, streamline local administrative procedures and resolve problems faced by the business community on a priority basis. It is also meant to create a favourable environment for investment.
A two-day training workshop for the newly appointed focal persons began at the Civil Secretariat on Monday. Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman presided over the opening session.
Experts from federal and provincial agencies briefed the officers on digital public services, trade and commercial opportunities, and administrative reforms.
The provincial government has launched a programme called PIVOT to promote investment and business activity. A PIVOT Secretariat has been set up at the Planning and Development Board to monitor business facilitation directly and track investment outcomes.
Inspections of commercial and industrial establishments will run under an integrated mechanism supervised by the Additional Chief Secretary. All inspection data will be uploaded to a real-time online dashboard for transparency. That dashboard and other digital business systems are being linked to the e-Biz portal.
The Chief Secretary directed officers to remove administrative complications and unnecessary procedural hurdles, and to address business issues on a priority basis. He also asked for trust-based partnerships between local administrations and the private sector.
The Additional Chief Secretary, the P&D Board chairman and the secretaries of the industries, agriculture, finance and local government departments attended. All divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners joined by video link. The Punjab Small Industries Corporation also organised an exhibition of traditional district products and handicrafts.
Why it matters
Investors, entrepreneurs and business owners in Punjab's districts will now have a named district officer for business problems. The government says the aim is faster solutions and a better investment climate.
