May 10, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 7, 1424

KARACHI, May 9: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi said on Friday that clearance of Pakistan by World Health Organization (WHO) from Sars will have a positive impact on business in the country.

He was talking to newsmen after meeting with delegations of Pakistan-Korea Business Forum, Pakistan German Business Forum, and Pakistan Belgium Forum at PIDC house and a local hotel.

The minister said that the climate for investment in the country was very conducive for the foreign investors, as the economy was at a take-off stage and the industrial growth had registered an increase from 7.2 to 11.77 per cent in last six months.

The minister welcomed the invitation by In Pil Chun, Consul General of Korea to visit his country next month. He also welcomed the offer of cooperation in the expansion plan of Pakistan Steel and agreed to visit Korean Steel Plants at Pohang and Busan.

Liaquat Jatoi invited all the forums to join the Advisory Committee constituted by the Ministry of Industries and Production, and submit proposals to be considered for preparing an investment friendly and business friendly budget.

He told the members of these forums that all possible steps were being taken by the government to promote investment in the country and boost industrialization and create more job opportunities.

He said that in order to facilitate the investors one desk operation will be started at PIDC House which would help investors to get business related facilities in three days.

The minister said that the project, which was in final stages of implementation, shall be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali on May 20, 2003.

He said that besides permission to generate electricity to private sector in export processing zones, many other facilities including free registration, 24 hours clearance facilities, etc., were being provided to investors.