By Farzana Chaudhry Lahore Pakistan

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Lahore district administration have agreed to strengthen cooperation to promote economic growth, facilitate the business community, improve the ease of doing business and attract new investment to the city.

The understanding was reached during an awareness session on the Punjab government’s E-Biz Portal held at the LCCI, where government officials and business leaders discussed digital business facilitation, investment promotion and measures to address administrative hurdles faced by entrepreneurs.

The session was addressed by Lahore Commissioner Nauman Yousaf, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Captain (R) Muhammad Ali Ijaz, LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar, Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani, Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain and Additional Director of the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) Haseeb Chaudhry.

Former LCCI Vice President Mian Zahid Javed, Executive Committee members Imran Ali Zaidi, Shehzad Mahmood, Adeel Babar Khan, Sahir Mushtaq, Muhammad Yasin, Shehzad Ali Shah, Ali Raza Hamid, Mahmood and Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rao Rafi Afzal and PBIT Joint Director Qamar Nazir also attended the session.

A detailed presentation on the Punjab government’s E-Biz Portal was delivered to familiarise participants with its functions and digital services designed to facilitate business activities.

Commissioner Lahore Nauman Yousaf said Lahore’s economic potential could be fully realised through stronger cooperation between the government and the private sector, modern digital systems, effective administrative measures and a business-friendly environment.

He observed that entrepreneurs often had to visit multiple government departments to obtain no-objection certificates (NOCs), registrations, licences and certifications. Complicated procedures, unnecessary delays and repeated visits to public offices could disrupt business operations and discourage investment.

He said digital governance could simplify administrative procedures, minimise unnecessary human intervention, enhance transparency and ensure the timely delivery of public services.

Deputy Commissioner Lahore Captain (R) Muhammad Ali Ijaz welcomed closer cooperation with the LCCI leadership, saying that innovative ideas, experience-sharing and practical solutions beyond conventional approaches could contribute significantly to economic development.

LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar thanked Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Commissioner Nauman Yousaf and Deputy Commissioner Captain (R) Muhammad Ali Ijaz for easing lockdown restrictions following the chamber’s request. He said cooperation between the government and the business community was essential to sustaining commercial activities and supporting Lahore’s economic development.

Emphasising the need for broader investment initiatives, Asghar said the city’s economic development should extend beyond the District Economy Plan. He proposed launching comprehensive initiatives under the banner of “Invest Lahore” to showcase the city’s investment potential, attract investors and create new business opportunities.

He said the LCCI would work closely with the district administration to address business community concerns, improve the ease of doing business, facilitate investment and create favourable conditions for industrial and commercial growth.

He added that regular engagement between public officials and business representatives could help identify administrative bottlenecks and develop practical solutions to the challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

Asghar further noted that several countries had strengthened their district economies by promoting exports of products linked to local expertise, specialised skills and competitive advantages. He said Lahore could adopt a similar strategy by identifying products in which the city had distinctive strengths and developing their export potential.

Such an approach, he added, could expand economic activity, improve market access for local businesses and support export-led growth.

LCCI Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani said business continuity, expanding economic activity and providing a favourable environment for entrepreneurs were essential for Lahore’s economic progress.

He expressed confidence that stronger cooperation between the district administration and the business community would help attract investment, generate employment opportunities and expand commercial activities across the city.

Ghani emphasised that government institutions and business representatives needed to work together to address practical challenges, improve public service delivery and establish conditions conducive to business growth. A coordinated approach, he said, could help Lahore better utilise its economic strengths and reinforce its position as a major commercial centre.

LCCI Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain said Lahore could unlock its economic potential through initiatives such as the District Economy Plan and Invest Lahore, alongside the digitalisation of government services, an integrated mechanism for resolving business complaints, the development of modern markets, greater transparency in enforcement and a business-friendly regulatory environment.

He stressed that effective coordination between the district administration and the LCCI could streamline administrative procedures, improve communication between businesses and government departments, and ensure that the concerns of the business community received due attention.

He added that transparent and efficient public services were crucial to encouraging entrepreneurship, attracting investment and promoting sustainable economic growth.