The Board of Investment (BOI) and the World Bank held a joint meeting in Islamabad to review the progress of the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), an initiative aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and investor ecosystem. The session was organized during the visit of Sylvia Solf, Practice Manager for Digital in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) region, who is currently on an official tour of Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from multiple stakeholders, including the BOI, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoIT&T), National Information Technology Board (NITB), and Ignite. The BOI-DEEP team was represented by Director General Reforms and Policy, Mahmood Tufail, who led discussions on the project’s progress and challenges.
In his briefing to the World Bank delegation, Tufail outlined the BOI’s contributions to the DEEP initiative, emphasizing the institution’s ongoing reforms to establish a more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly digital ecosystem in Pakistan. He highlighted key milestones achieved under the BOI’s component of the project, while also underscoring areas where coordination among partner agencies remains critical.
The review focused on advancing the project’s objectives, including digitization of regulatory processes, improved accessibility of government services, and creation of a streamlined investment environment. With the involvement of NADRA and other digital service agencies, the initiative seeks to build trust among investors and citizens by reducing inefficiencies and enhancing transparency through technology-driven solutions.
World Bank representatives reaffirmed their support for Pakistan’s digital economy roadmap and recognized the importance of cross-institutional collaboration for DEEP’s success. The engagement underscored the alignment between government agencies and international development partners in driving digital transformation in Pakistan.
The session also reflected broader momentum around Pakistan’s efforts to integrate technology into governance and economic planning. With projects such as DEEP, the country aims to expand its digital economy, encourage private sector participation, and strengthen its positioning as a regional hub for digital innovation and investment.
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