ISLAMABAD, May 18: The Board of Investment here on Saturday said the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during July-April 2001-2002, had increased by 19 per cent as compared to the corresponding period last year.

During the last year from July-April, the FDI inflow was $259 million while this year it rose to $307.6 million. This shows that despite all odds the foreign investors have started reposing confidence in Pakistan and business-friendly policies of the government.

The leading sectors, which attracted FDI during this period are oil and gas sector (129.2 million dollars), power (33.6 million dollars), trade (29.1 million dollars), electronics (15.2 million dollars), transport (17.5 million dollars), financial business (4.3 million dollars), and IT & telecom (9.9 million dollars),

The major investing countries are US (179.9 million dollars), United Kingdom (24.1 million dollars), United Arab Emirates (17.8 million dollars), Switzerland (6.8 million dollars), Germany (9.4 million dollars) and Japan (4.8 million dollars).

“BOI is making extensive efforts for marketing the investment potential and opportunities of Pakistan to the foreign investors. It is expected that during the coming months with the improvement of law and order situation, the FDI inflow will further increase,” said an official handout.

It further said that BOI has chalked out an investment marketing plan and the opportunities will be fully taped which are now arising as a gradual change in the perception of Pakistan in positive direction.

Also BOI is launching a campaign to motivate Overseas Pakistanis and to gear them up for strong, timely and effective participation. The resource base of Pakistan and business friendly investment policy provides a lot of opportunities to the countries for investment seeking new markets.