KARACHI, March 30: Pakistan is likely to get about $3 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) during the current year, the highest-ever in the country’s history. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was speaking as the chief guest at a dinner hosted for delegates and participants of the Expo Pakistan 2006 at Governor House here on Thursday.
The event was inaugurated by President General Pervez Musharraf at the Expo Centre Karachi on Wednesday.
The prime minister said: “This year we expect to get about $3 billion in foreign direct investment, which will be the highest-ever in the history of Pakistan.”
He said the figure still did not do justice with the country’s full potential, adding that Pakistan could attract much more foreign investment.
Greater access to open market combined with fast economic growth and an aggressive privatisation programme was likely to spur the inflow of foreign investment, Prime Minister Aziz said.
He appreciated investment coming in from the Middle East, specially member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as from South East Asian countries in addition to funds from Europe and North America.
The prime minister said the varied sources of investment showed the present richness of Pakistan’s investment profile. He said: “We will continue to encourage this so that more and more people can come to Pakistan and invest for local markets, invest for exports and use Pakistan as a regional hub for manufacturing, production and logistics.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Aziz praised efforts made by Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan and Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim in improving the law and order situation in the province.
The prime minister met with the Sindh governor and the Chief Minister Sindh, who called on him here at the Governor House. Ongoing development schemes were also reviewed in the meting.—APP
