March 1, 2003	Saturday	Zul Hijjah 27, 1423

ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: An important economic delegation from Egypt is due in Islamabad next week to explore possibilities of expanding Egyptian investments in Pakistan, mainly in the fields of telecommunication, information technology and tourism.

The President of Orascom Telecom-Egypt, and major Partner of Mobilink-Pakistan, Mr. Naguib Sawiris, will head a large delegation of businessmen from Egypt in a 3-day official visit.

In an interview, the ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan Hisham El-Zimaity, said that Pakistan was an investment-friendly country, and that completion of the process of return to democracy, which materialized with the recent Senate elections, further enhanced the stability of the market and its credibility.

“It will definitely help more investors from Egypt and other countries to consider expanding their activities in Pakistan,” he said.

Hisham El-Zimaity said that Pakistan and Egypt were brotherly countries and the two Governments were committed to take cooperation to higher grounds by encouraging the private enterprises to consider working with partners in the two countries.

The projected increase of Orascom investments in Pakistan by $150 million in 2003 and another by $250 million in 2004 was an excellent example of true will and determination for more cooperation between the two countries.—APP