ISLAMABAD: Business sentiment in Pakistan has turned positive, with the Business Confidence Index (BCI) rising 16 percentage points to *+11%, up from *-5%* in the previous wave, according to the latest survey by the *Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI).
The *Wave 27 BCI Survey, conducted in **March-April 2025, reflects growing optimism across the country’s key sectors. The *manufacturing sector led the rebound, improving from *-3% to +15%, followed by the **retail/wholesale sector, which climbed from *-18% to +2%*, while the *services sector rose from +2% to +10%.
The announcement came after a meeting between OICCI leadership and Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, who welcomed the findings. “This uptick in business confidence signals that our economic trajectory is on the right path. We remain committed to a stable, investment-friendly environment that fosters private sector growth and long-term resilience,” he said.
OICCI President Yousaf Hussain highlighted that the improvement reflects the resilience of Pakistan’s business community and emphasized the need for continued policy consistency, transparency, and stakeholder engagement to sustain this momentum.
The survey also noted that 45% of respondents expect better business conditions over the next six months, driven by *macroeconomic stability, **falling inflation, improved **security, and a more favorable *investment climate.
