The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved a series of measures aimed at further improving Pakistan’s performance and ranking under the Business Ready assessment. The measures focus on improving transparency, strengthening access to business-related information, increasing digital coordination among government institutions, and providing more detailed data related to companies and their ownership structures.
According to SECP, Pakistan currently ranks 17th among 101 economies in the Business Entry category, with a score of 86.64. The ranking reflects the country’s performance in areas related to starting and registering businesses. The newly approved measures are intended to further strengthen the systems and information available to businesses and institutions, which could support Pakistan’s performance in future Business Ready assessments.
Under the measures, information related to company registration and post-registration changes is automatically made available to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through an automated system. This digital exchange of information is designed to improve coordination between institutions and make relevant company information available without requiring separate manual processes.
The SECP, FBR, and Board of Investment will also cooperate to facilitate the exchange of additional information. Greater coordination among these institutions is expected to improve the flow of business-related data and strengthen digital links between government bodies. Such coordination can help improve the availability of information required for business registration and related regulatory processes.
SECP will also provide a link on its website containing information regarding environmental requirements and permits. The availability of this information through the commission’s website will give businesses a more direct source for understanding relevant environmental requirements. Alongside this, information regarding government support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women entrepreneurs has also been made available on the SECP website.
Another key measure involves the publication of gender-disaggregated statistics related to newly registered companies. SECP has released statistics covering male and female shareholders, directors, chief executives, and beneficial owners. This provides a more detailed view of participation in newly registered businesses and increases the availability of information related to gender representation within corporate ownership and management.
SECP will further develop and publish gender-disaggregated datasets covering company directors and beneficial owners. The additional datasets are expected to provide more detailed information for assessing participation across different areas of corporate ownership and leadership. Publishing this information also contributes to greater transparency and provides stakeholders with more comprehensive corporate data.
The measures approved by SECP collectively focus on improving transparency, access to information, and digital coordination among institutions. By strengthening automated information exchange, making regulatory and support information more accessible, and expanding gender-disaggregated corporate data, SECP expects these initiatives to contribute to Pakistan’s Business Ready performance and ranking. The measures form part of ongoing efforts to improve the business environment and strengthen the systems supporting companies operating in Pakistan.
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