Foreign direct investment (FDI) acts as a major source of capital inflow for job creation, technology transfer and export expansion. It yields multifaceted benefits, which significantly contribute to a country’s economic progress. Developing countries actively seek FDI to enhance their industrial and developmental capacities.
Historically, Pakistan’s track record in attracting FDI has been far below its potential. According to World Investment Report 2023, Pakistan received $1.3 billion of FDI in 2022, while neighbouring China and India attracted $189 billion and $49 billion worth of FDI, respectively. Bangladesh, a country smaller than Pakistan in terms of size and population, was able to secure inflows of $3.48 billion in 2022. These statistics underscore the need for Pakistan to review its approach towards FDI in which China’s experience can serve as an example.
China has emerged as a formidable player in attracting FDI in the past three decades. FDI inflows surged from almost negligible in the 1970s to $186 billion in 2022. China’s success owes its credit to measures taken for opening up of economy by President Deng Xiaoping, especially to trade and FDI. In later years, China was transformed into the second most attractive destination for FDI after the United States. Pakistan, being a developing country, can draw many valuable lessons from China. But this insight specifically focuses on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs).
After economic reforms in 1978, China established a number of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). These zones were given autonomy in their investment decisions with tax and tariff concessions, preferential income tax treatment and exemptions from import licenses. Besides, the China Council for International Investment Promotion (CCIIP) was established which aimed at national investment promotion and provided recommendations to improve the investment environment of China. Infrastructure and transportation links to foreign markets offered by SEZs along with special incentives played a pivotal role in attracting the interest of foreign investors. These SEZs led to massive FDI inflows and became engines of China’s economic growth.
Pakistan must insulate its SEZs from the overall business environment of the country.
Pakistan, for the first time, established Industrial Estates (IEs) in the 1960s. Later, Export Processing Zones (EPZs) were established in the 1980s for promoting exports. However, these zones could not accrue the desired objectives. In 2012, Pakistan passed the SEZs Act and a number of SEZs were established. According to the Board of Investment (BOI), Pakistan has 21 approved SEZs at present. 4 SEZs are also under construction under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) while 5 are in the pipeline. These SEZs offer international investors a specialized location to launch their businesses as well as the assurance of consistent regulations and a favourable business environment. However, these SEZs didn’t prove to be so special in attracting foreign investment. This is because these zones are not insulated from the overall business climate of the country. Complex approval, registration and licensing processes coupled with bureaucratic hurdles and legal challenges are equally a barrier to investment in these economic zones as prevalent in the rest of the country. Presently, it takes 256 days for a foreign company to establish a set-up in Pakistan and complete all processes involving several institutions i.e. Board of Investment (BOI), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and relevant regulatory bodies. This period is far longer than the 24-hour approval time in the international market.
Secondly, China developed an extensive network of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). It signed its first landmark BIT with Sweden in 1982. Although Beijing declared that its open-door policy is “all-directional” initially, it prioritized BITs with countries which could become potential sources of FDI. So far, China has signed BITs with 145 countries, out of which 107 are in force. These BITs were an important part of China’s foreign investment policy which contributed greatly to FDI inflows.
In Pakistan’s case, it has signed 53 BITs with 48 countries so far. Out of these 53, presently 29 are in force, 16 were signed but not in force and 6 have already been terminated. In 2021, Pakistan decided to terminate 23 more BITs to avoid international arbitration due to 10 cases lodged by foreign firms on commercial contracts. Provisions related to Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) exposed Pakistan to international arbitration. So far, the decision of termination has not been put into action but it reflects the alarming state of Pakistan’s BITs.
Keeping these lessons in view, Pakistan must insulate its SEZs from the overall business environment of the country. Regulatory bodies within SEZs should be given autonomy to run affairs independently. Single window operations for foreign investors must be ensured. In addition, existing SEZs should be operationalized on an urgent basis. In this regard, Phase II of CPEC needs to be completed expeditiously. Moreover, Multinational Corporations (MNCs) from across the world should be invited to invest in SEZs of Pakistan by offering exclusive incentives.
Regarding BITs, a comprehensive policy should be developed with workable solutions in the long term. In light of these solutions, Pakistan should engage partner countries and amend problematic provisions. Besides, new BITs should also be signed in which treaties with developed countries should be the focus. Finally, SIFC and BOI can also play an important role in policy synchronization across institutions. Policies should be formulated with long-term objectives and regular changes in policies must be discouraged.
By following China’s successful policies and adapting them to its circumstances, Pakistan may not only achieve global competitiveness but also establish a more hospitable climate for FDI, which will eventually lead to economic growth, job creation and general prosperity.
The writer is a freelance columnist.