ISLAMABAD: The government is willing to work with the business sector to strengthen the manufacturing sector through a realistic and consensus-based plan of action based on viable proposals by the business community, said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan on Monday.

Mr Khan was talking to a delegation of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) led by its founder Ali Habib and chairman Ehsan Malik.

The government believes in facilitating the business community by providing them a level playing field and an investment-friendly environment, he added.

Mr Khan reiterated that the government was keen to work with the business community and requested the PBC to prepare a comprehensive action plan for the resolution of issues facing the manufacturing and other associated sectors.

The PBC leaders informed him about challenges facing the manufacturing sector and presented a set of proposals for their solution.

An official statement issued after the meeting said the delegation briefed the special assistant on issues and concerns of the business community. It was suggested that Pakistan should study the Indian model which facilitates businesses.

It takes 17 days to start a new business in India while in a city like Karachi for staring a new business 260 days are required, the PBC said while seeking a resolution in this regard.