NAB-LCCI partnership to boost business confidence

NAB-LCCI partnership to boost business confidence

In a significant step toward improving Pakistan’s business environment, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote transparency, regulatory efficiency and investor confidence. The agreement was signed in the presence of NAB Chairman Lt. Gen. (R) Nazir Ahmed, Director General NAB Lahore Mirza Faran Baig, and LCCI President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol.

The MoU was formally signed by Nasim Ahmad Khan, Director Awareness and Prevention at NAB Lahore, and Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, Senior Vice President of LCCI, alongside senior officials and members of the business community.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman NAB described the business community as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and highlighted its vital role in creating jobs, attracting investment and driving sustainable growth. He stressed that transparent governance, strong institutions and a predictable regulatory framework are essential for economic progress. He further noted that accountability and economic development complement each other, as reducing corruption and administrative inefficiencies helps build investor confidence.

The partnership reflects NAB’s broader vision of supporting governance reforms and facilitating legitimate business activity in addition to its accountability responsibilities. A major component of the agreement is the establishment of a dedicated NAB Executive Facilitation Office at LCCI. The office will provide businesses with a confidential platform to report corruption-related delays, misuse of authority and regulatory challenges.

The initiative also seeks to improve Pakistan’s ease of doing business by identifying procedural bottlenecks in areas such as taxation, customs, land administration, licensing and public procurement. NAB Lahore and LCCI will work with government departments to promote reforms, encourage digitization and increase transparency.

Furthermore, the MoU introduces a Business Integrity and Compliance Programme aimed at encouraging ethical business practices, anti-bribery measures and effective corporate governance systems. Both institutions will also conduct joint research and policy studies to identify governance challenges and propose evidence-based reforms.

The partnership places special emphasis on investor protection, awareness campaigns and capacity-building programmes for SMEs, women entrepreneurs, young business leaders and export-oriented enterprises. Through digital governance initiatives and sustained institutional cooperation, the NAB-LCCI alliance aims to transform accountability into a catalyst for investment, transparency and long-term economic growth in Pakistan.