April 8, 2006	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1427

ISLAMABAD, April 7: Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon has said that the government is taking concrete steps to exploit the untapped hydrocarbon resources in order to keep pace with socio-economic growth rates and overcome energy shortfall in the country after 2010.

The minister was talking to a delegation of US’s Lincol Financial Group headed by Roos Connelly, former chief operating officer of the Overseas Private Investors Corporation (OPIC) and vice-president of Bechtel Company.

Mr Jadoon said the government was actively pursuing trans-border gas pipeline projects of Iran, Turkmenistan and Qatar as well as import of LNG.

He said the government was offering lucrative incentives to the investors in onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration and would welcome foreign investment in these development activities.

Ross Connelly appreciated the economic growth of Pakistan and vast potential available for investors in the oil and gas sector. He said Lincol Financial Group would take advantage of the investment opportunities in this sector.