INAUGURATION REPORT SINGLE WINDOW FACILITY SINDH BUILDING CONTROL AUTHORITY Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project Planning and Development Department Govt. of Sindh Contents Abbreviations 7 Executive Summary 8 Introduction of KNIP 10 Background 10 Launch of SWF 10 Proceedings 10 Overview of KNIP 11 Screening of Documentary 11 Presentation by DG SBCA 12 Remarks by Business Entities 13 Chairman Association of Builders and Developers in Pakistan (ABAD) 13 President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) 14 Chairman Pakistan Council of Architect and Town Planning (PCATP) 14 President Institute of Architect Pakistan (IAP) 14 President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) 15 Remarks by Minister Local Government 16 Remarks by Acting Country Director World Bank 16 Distribution of Shields 17 Speech by Honorable Chief Minister Sindh 17 Conclusion 18 Picture Gallery 19 Appendices 27 A – Invitation Card 27 B – List of Participants 28 C– News Paper Clipping 36 D– Details & Pictorial view of SBCA -SWF 39 Abbreviations ABAD Association of Builders and Developers in Pakistan BRT Bus Rapid Transit CM Chief Minister DG Director General DMC District Municipal Corporation FPCCI Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry IAP Institute of Architect Pakistan KCCI Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries KDA Karachi Development Authority KMC Karachi Metropolitan Corporation KNIP Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project KWSB Karachi Water & Sewerage Board NOC No Objection Certificate PCATP Pakistan Council of Architect and Town Planning PD Project Director PIU Project Implementation Unit SBCA Sindh Building Control Authority SEPA Sindh Environmental Protection Agency SRB Sindh Revenue Board SWF Single Window Facility WB World Bank Executive Summary Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project (KNIP) is a joint initiative of Govt. of Sindh and World Bank to enhance public spaces, urban road infrastructure, mobility, inclusion, and access to the market in targeted neighborhoods (Saddar, Malir and Korangi) in Karachi. It is a four-year project which commenced in July 2017. The three major components of the project are: 1) Public Space and Mobility Improvements in Selected Neighborhoods; 2) Support to Improved Administrative Services and City Capacity Development; and 3) Support to Implementation and Technical Assistance. Automation of Construction Permits and business registration in Karachi is a sub-component of component 2. Under this component a Single Window Facility (SWF) has been established for “Ease of Doing Business” at the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). This facility will provide all construction permit related services electronically. In this regard, a launching ceremony was held on May 11, 2019. Ms. Sunayna Ismail (Communication Specialist) was the Master of Ceremony. She welcomed dignitaries and other guests. Mr. Abdul Kabeer Kazi, Project Director (PD) KNIP also welcomed all the guests and explained all three components of the KNIP. He informed participants that under SWF worked was done for both soft and hard components. Computer software and other equipment were provided under soft component, while in hard component a section of the building was renovated and reconstructed. Regarding future plans, he said that KNIP will work not only with other land- owning agencies such as Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), but also work with SBCA for other categories. A documentary was screened to show SWF and its construction process. Mr. Iftikhar Ali Kaimkhani, Director General (DG) gave a presentation about SWF. He informed participants that the Govt. of Pakistan is committed towards “Ease of Doing Business” with technical support of World Bank (WB) and its ranking has been improved. He further explained that “Ease of Doing Business” has 10 indicators and dealing with construction permit is one of them. The four operational components of SWF are: 1) E-Construction 2) E-Pay 3) E-Check and E- Registration. Under SWF, land owning agencies and authorities will be electronically communicated for land permit. All these facilities can be availed through SBCA smart mobile application. This SWF not only automized the construction permit process but also reduced the time to get a permit from 60 days to 15 days. A citizen complaint section will ensure that all the complaints related to SWF will be addressed properly. He also informed that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement from Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), Sindh Environmental Protection Authority (SEPA) and Excise and Taxation has also been waived. He also showed pre-approved building plans of category 1 plots. The category 1 covers from 60 to 399 yards plots and last year 75% of construction permits were issued for this category plots. Mr. Muhammad Hassan Bakshi, Chairman Association of Builders and Developers in Pakistan (ABAD), Mr. Junaid Ismail, President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), Mr. Aqeel Bilgrami, Chairman Pakistan Council of Architect and Town Planning (PCATP), Mr. Arif Changazi, President Institute of Architect Pakistan (IAP) & Mr. Noor Ahmed Khan, President, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), also gave their remarks about SWF as representatives of businesses entities. They all appreciated this initiative and ensured their support for the smooth operation of SWF. Ms. Naheed Durrani, Chairperson, Planning and Development Department, remarked that this event is a big achievement and showed institutional willingness to adopt technology and improve its’ performance and service delivery. She appreciated KNIP and SBCA team for this achievement. She informed participants about other mega projects for Karachi which will improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens. She also emphasized on collaborative work among various government institutions. Mr. Saeed Ghani, Minister Local Government, thanked the World Bank for providing support for SWF at SBCA. He also informed participants that at this stage only Category 1 will be covered but he hoped that in future, the rest of the categories will also be covered. He said that the government wants to provide better services to its citizens. He remarked in the future the same kind of work should be done with other government departments. He also shared that some work has been started in KDA to improve its service delivery. Melinda Good, Acting Country Director World Bank, congratulated the Chief Minister (CM), PD KNIP and DG SBCA and said it is an immense pleasure for her to attend this event. She happily shared that Pakistan’s ranking in the “Ease of Doing Business Index” has been improved after 15 years which is a great achievement. She said other cities are also demanding for the same kind of facilities like SWF and she hoped that their demands will be fulfilled, and she will see those facilities when she will visit next time. Mr. Murad Ali Shah, CM Sindh, shared his views and said that the Sindh Government has been working with WB for a long time and it is very heartening to see that Pakistan’s ranking has improved in the “Ease of Doing Business Index” and it will attract more investors both locally and internationally. He further added that Sindh Government wants to improve the business environment and infrastructure of Karachi. He also shared the details of big mega projects of transport and infrastructure for Karachi. At the end, Master of Ceremony, Ms. Sunayna Ismail, Communication Specialist, KNIP, gave the concluding remarks with specials note of thanks to the CM Sindh, speakers and all the guests to grace the event with their presence and making the inauguration a successful event. Introduction of KNIP The Govt. of Sindh, with the financial and technical support of the World Bank (WB), started the Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project (KNIP) in July 2017. It is a four-year project. The purpose of the project is to enhance public spaces, urban roads infrastructure, mobility, inclusion, and access to the market in targeted neighborhoods (Saddar, Malir and Korangi) in Karachi. The project has the following three major components. 1. Public Space and Mobility Improvements in Selected Neighborhoods 2. Support to Improved Administrative Services and City Capacity Development 3. Support for Implementation and Technical Assistance Background Under Component 2.1 of KNIP (Automation of Construction Permits and business registration in Karachi) a Single Window Facility (SWF) has been established for “Ease of Doing Business”. The purpose of this facility is to provide all construction permit related services electronically. SBCA officials, KNIP team, Contractor and Consultant work day and night to complete this assignment within the time frame. Launch of SWF A launch of SWF was held on May 11, 2019 both at Premises of the SWF and at the Marriott Hotel Karachi. Honorable Chief Minister (CM) Sindh, Mr. Murad Ali Shah inaugurated the facility at the SBCA premises along with Ms. Naheed Durrani, Chairperson Planning and Development Department, Govt of Sindh. After that they came to attend ceremony at the Marriot Hotel. Ministers and Secretaries of various Departments, Senior Govt. Officials, Business Community Representatives and Notable Citizens attended the event. Proceedings Ms. Sunayna Ismail, Communication Specialist, KNIP who was the Master of Ceremony welcomed the honorable CM and other respectable guests. The ceremony started with the recitation of the Holy Quran. She introduced