A robust private sector is critical to Pakistan’s goal of achieving upper-middle-income status, but the high cost of doing business limits its competitiveness, said ADB Country Director for Pakistan, Xiaohong Yang. Unreliable access to basic infrastructure is also a significant constraint for private sector activities, while access to finance remains limited for women entrepreneurs, small businesses, and other underserved segments. The Covid-19 has heightened the risk of increased gender disparities in the country. Yet if Pakistan can close the gender gap, it could raise GDP by as much as 30%, the bank official added.
4/3/2021