March 18, 2006	Saturday	Safar 17, 1427

ISLAMABAD, March 17: Senate chairman Mohammedmian Soomro has said that Pakistan has great potential of emerging as an economic hub in the region and is presently an attractive destination for the foreign investors.

He pointed out that Pakistan was blessed with central and strategic location and offers the shortest route to Central Asia, western China and South Asia. Besides, it serves as a corridor for the potential investors/businessmen.

He made these observations during conversation with Thomas Diehl, chairman Diehl Group of Companies, and Peter Grosch, president and CEO of Diehl (VA-Systems), who called on him at his residence on Friday.

During the meeting, they discussed matters of common interest.

Soomro said that investors from foreign countries should avail off the investment-friendly environment and enter into economic partnership with Pakistan.

He called upon the local businessmen to join hands with their German counterparts who were far ahead in technological advancement as compared to Pakistan.

He said that our business community would have to formulate a viable strategy to enter into foreign markets.

Thomas Diehl said that main purpose of his visit was to explore possibility of cooperation and join production with Pakistani firms. He also apprised the senate chairman about the future investment plans of his group.