April 27, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 28, 1427

ISLAMABAD, April 26: A delegation of US businessmen currently visiting Pakistan has termed the business environment in Pakistan friendly and conducive to foreign investment.

The delegation, headed by Jay Collins, Chief Executive Officer of Public Sector Group, Citigroup, and Chairman of the US-Pakistan Business Council, expressed these views in a meeting with Jehangir Bashar, Secretary of the Board of Investment, here on Wednesday.

The BoI secretary pointed out that due to liberal policies and economic reforms foreign investors found Pakistan a safe place for investment. He said that more than 600 foreign companies were operating in Pakistan and were reaping high interests.

Foreign direct investment, he added, was an indicator of the success of foreign investments in any country and in the first nine months of this financial year, Pakistan had received a record FDI of over $2bn, with three months still to go. “All economic indicators have shown an upward trend which add to the investors confidence.

Jay Collins said more foreign businessmen were keen to invest in Pakistan. “This is a compliment to the liberal economic regime introduced by the government for foreign investors.”