International perception of Pakistan improves in FY 18-19: ABC survey.

Byline: Iqtidar Gilani

LAHORE -- The international perception of Pakistan had improved in financial year 2018-19 as compared to the last year, reveals a survey conducted by the American Business Council (ABC).

Over 59 per cent of the respondents indicated improvement in country's perception as against 57% during the last fiscal year.

The survey allowed ABC members to rate their satisfaction on various economic, regulatory and political factors that affected the performance and growth of business over FY18-19. The business climate was rated on each of the various factors influencing it; including economy, implementation and consistency of government policies, political climate, law and order.

Of these factors the economy and implementation of policies were rated as being unsatisfactory by over half of the survey participants and 75% of the respondents had marked increasing costs ie. utilities , duties and taxes as being the biggest challenge affecting business operations adversely.

However, a positive indicator is that over 90% of the respondents were optimistic about the long term (2+ year) economic and operating climate.

The survey also revealed the optimism of American Investors with over 40% of the respondents marking Pakistan being one of the many destinations for near term global investment plans and quite a few marking Pakistan as being a top priority for future investment.

American Business Council of Pakistan President Mr Adnan Asad, said: 'I am very optimistic about the future of the country, after a...