Islamabad: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need for export-led economic growth.

PM Shehbaz Sharif was speaking at a meeting with the business and industrial community in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said meaningful economic progress cannot be achieved without enhancing the country's exports. He said the government has also provided tax relief to exporters to encourage exports.

PM Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that the government has undertaken several structural reforms over the past two and a half years in consultation with the business community.

He said 800 billion rupees were recovered through enforcement and without imposing any new taxes in just one year.

The Prime Minister said the government will continue moving forward in consultation with the business community.

Later, talking to the media, leading industrialists and business people of the country commended the Prime Minister for having regular consultations with the business community.

Leading industrialist Arif Habib appreciated the government's budgetary measures and expressed hope that the partnership would lead to increased investment and export growth.

Umar Saeed said the Prime Minister and the cabinet have responded positively to the business community's proposals in the budget. He appreciated the improved coordination between the government and the business community.

CEO Jazz Aamir Ibrahim said Pakistan needs to focus on emerging sectors, particularly telecommunications, digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, to boost exports. He stressed the need to develop AI factories in Pakistan alongside data centres.

Javed Balwani appreciated the establishment of FBR and PRAL offices in Karachi and Lahore on the Prime Minister's direction.