ISLAMABAD, June 25: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday called upon members of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan.

Talking to the visiting delegation of the ICCI led by its chairman Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdullah Kamel, a leading Saudi business tycoon, Mr Aziz said that structural reforms being introduced by the government had created an enabling environment for local as well as foreign investment.

He pointed out that apart from continuity of polices, liberalization, deregulation and privatization were important pillars of Pakistan’s economic programme.

The prime minister said that of late foreign direct investment had been considerably increased, particularly from Far Eastern and Middle Eastern countries.

He said information technology, telecom, real estate, tourism, agro-based industry and financial sectors were other potential areas for the foreign investors.

The ICCI chairman praised economic policies being pursued by Pakistan. He said the ICCI would ensure that investment by Islamic countries was used within the Muslim world.

The Islamic Chamber, which has its headquarters in Karachi, has been endeavouring to attract investors from the Muslim world.

Sheikh Kamel sought Pakistan’s support and commitment to enhance the activities of Islamic Chamber. The ICCI chairman said that interaction between all stakeholders would be increased so that shared opportunities were available to investors from the Muslim countries.