December 12, 2003	Friday	Shawwal 17, 1424

ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: The Islamabad Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has proposed a number of areas for investment and joint ventures to the visiting business delegation from the United Kingdom.

The proposal was made during a meeting of UK business delegation with ICCI President Zubair Ahmed Malik and members of the business community.

The areas proposed for investment included human resource development, electronics and light engineering, food processing, mining of marble and gemstones, textiles and garments.

It also includes manufacturing, construction material, pharmaceuticals and a host of important areas in support of small and medium enterprises.

The services of ICCI were also offered for collaboration with the UK Chamber of Commerce for promoting trade and commerce between Pakistan and UK.

The UK business delegation includes senior business executives who represent banking, cement, textiles clothing, oil and gas, construction, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Mr Malik pointed out that Pakistan’s geo-strategic location as a gateway to the countries in the Middle East, the Central Asian Republics and South Asia offered immense opportunities for trade and investment.

He said the government had formulated an unprecedented policy of incentives to encourage foreign investment in Pakistan.

Delegation leader Sahibzada Jahangir, special adviser to Alyph Limited, and other members of the delegation felt that the environment in Pakistan was quite conducive for investment.

They urged Pakistan’s media to take note of this unfortunate situation. The delegation further stressed that the bureaucratic irritants need to be removed and the judicial system should be reformed to facilitate increase in foreign investment in Pakistan.

Chief Executive of Asia House in London, Stefan Kosciuszko, pointed out that there were 45,000 British businessmen enrolled in the organization and they were keen to promote business in Pakistan.