In a significant move to enhance the ease of doing business, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) today engaged with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to simplify the process of company incorporation for domestic and international investors.
The initiative was advanced during an interactive awareness session organized by the corporate regulator for SIFC officials yesterday at the SECP Head Office.
Muzzafar Ahmed Mirza, SECP Commissioner (LRD), opened the proceedings by emphasizing the commission”s firm commitment to promoting business formalization and improving the commercial environment within the country.
A detailed presentation by the Registrar of Companies, Shahzad Afzal Khan, provided a comprehensive overview of SECP”s regulatory mandate, its network of nine Company Registration Offices (CROs), and the entirely digital incorporation process facilitated by the eZfile portal.
The briefing outlined crucial steps for user registration, the establishment of local and foreign companies, necessary documentation, and different types of business structures. The legal framework governing companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), alongside the distinct benefits of formal incorporation, were also detailed.
The session was highly interactive, allowing participants to seek clarifications on various regulatory and procedural matters, which fostered a stronger mutual understanding of the mechanisms for facilitating business entry.
Attendees were also informed about SECP”s achievements in expediting company registration, highlighting a consistent growth trend in incorporations over the past five years. Key reforms undertaken to simplify processes and enhance service delivery were a central focus.
The event concluded with a constructive dialogue aimed at reinforcing future collaboration and coordination between the two key institutions to further bolster the investment climate in Pakistan.