September 09, 2006	Saturday	Sha'aban 15, 1427

KARACHI, Sept 8: Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited (CDC) has announced that it will conduct roadshows in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on September 18 and 20 to promote investment in Pakistan’s capital markets.

A press release issued by CDC here on Friday stated that the roadshows were intended to offer new avenues of investment in “one of the region’s best performing stock markets”. It said the events were being held with the support of the Pakistan Business Council of Abu Dhabi.

These events aimed at informing and updating potential investors on the economic climate of Pakistan, various investment options available in the Pakistani stock market and functions of CDC as an infrastructure service provider to facilitate investment in the capital market. The forum would also address any queries and concerns of the business community of the UAE, the press release stated.

CDC stated that Pakistan offered unlimited opportunities for international investors in various sectors. Stock markets, being one of the most lucrative avenues of investment with consistent returns over the past few years, have immense potential and await investment. The CDC statement said the company would also sign separate MoUs with the Abu Dhabi Securities Market and the Dubai Financial Markets, entailing various aspects of technology exchange, operational procedures and other areas of cooperation.

Foreign investment in Pakistan's stock market more than doubled to $351.5 million (about AED1,278 million) until June this year, from $152.6 million (about AED554.9 million) a year earlier, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. More than 85 per cent of that money came from US-based investors.