Karachi, April 16, 2025 – In a bold call for economic reform, Yousaf Hussain, President of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), stressed the need for a unified and future-oriented economic execution strategy to unlock Pakistan’s vast potential.
Speaking at the high-level forum “Navigating the Unknown”, Hussain addressed government officials, policy experts, and business leaders, emphasizing that a long-term, collaborative approach is essential for sustained national progress.
Representing more than 200 top multinational corporations operating in Pakistan, the OICCI president proposed the creation of a National Economic Execution Plan. This comprehensive framework would merge policies across trade, industry, energy, taxation, and human development — with each component led by domain experts under a single cohesive vision.
Hussain highlighted that Pakistan’s demographic advantage, particularly its large youth population, along with its strategic geographic location, positions the country as a potential regional economic hub. However, he cautioned that to capitalize on this advantage, investments in skill development, export diversification, and regional trade integration must be prioritized. He further stressed the importance of empowering women and embracing digital transformation as key accelerators of inclusive growth.
He underscored that OICCI member companies are not just passive investors, but vital contributors to innovation, employment, and global standards. “Multinational companies bring knowledge, innovation, and global connections — they must be treated as strategic partners in shaping the country’s economic direction,” Hussain said.
Calling for stronger government-industry collaboration, he urged early involvement of the private sector in policy design and implementation. He also pointed out the urgent need to improve the ease of doing business and develop a credible investment narrative to attract long-term capital.
“The time for firefighting is over — this is Pakistan’s decisive decade,” Hussain concluded. “We need to stop reacting and start designing the future.”
The OICCI reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with policymakers, offering its institutional expertise and global perspective. Through unified economic execution, the OICCI believes Pakistan can harness its strengths and build a more resilient, inclusive, and competitive economy.