15 May 2004	Saturday	24 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

LONDON, May 14: Privatization Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has said the government can guide overseas Pakistanis in starting business in the country.

He was speaking at a luncheon hosted for him by the UK- Pakistan Overseas Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday.

"The government's attention was riveted on brining more investment in the country. There were many affluent overseas Pakistanis who did not know how to invest their capital, but if approached, the government could guide them in this regard," said Dr Hafeez.

Referring to the speech made by British State Minister for Trade and Investment Mike Brien at the investment conference on Wednesday, Dr Hafeez said the UK was now taking more interest than in the past by encouraging investment in Pakistan.

He said Pakistan was a big country where investment opportunities were in abundance but this image needed to be projected to attract investment.

The overseas Pakistanis were more prosperous and better placed than their compatriots back home, hence they should come forward to assist the government in persuading the investors to exploit the investor-friendly environment in the country.

Dr Hafeez thanked Pakistan's High Commissioner to UK Dr Maleeha Lodhi and Bestway Group Chairman Sir Anwar Pervez to help organize the investment conference. Anwar Pervez, Dr Hafiz said, had invested 400 million pounds to set up a cement plant, while his rice mill was already operating there.

Anwar Pervez has purchased Habib Bank and is setting up another cement plant near Hattar.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Pervez described the investment conference as successful. "This has helped wash away the perception that the investment in Pakistan was risky," he added.-APP