January 13, 2007	Saturday	Zilhaj 22, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that currently several mining projects are under way in Balochistan for exploring copper, lead and zinc, as well as oil and gas.

The prime minister was talking to Mr Jean Paul Luksic, chief executive officer of Antofagasta Copper, a mining company of Chile which is considered as one of the 10 largest cooper producers in the world.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Mr Amanullah Jadoon, and senior officials.

The prime minister said Pakistan was rich in mineral resources waiting to be tapped by both domestic and foreign investors by bringing in latest techniques and state-of-art technology in this attractive field.

He said increase in mining activity would contribute to economic growth and exports in addition to creating more jobs for the people.

The prime minister said wide-ranging structural reforms introduced during the last seven years, coupled with macroeconomic stability, rapid, strong and sustained economic recovery, reduced cost of doing business and transparency in policies and procedures, has transformed Pakistan into one of the ideal locations for foreign investment and investments are flowing into Pakistan from all parts of the world.

He said Pakistan offered attractive opportunities for investment and provides a level playing field for business, as it makes no distinction between local and international investors.

Premier Aziz said that logistics chain was being improved throughout the country to facilitate the movement of cargo.

He expressed the hope that Gwadar deep-sea port would be a hub for export of mining products from Balochistan and said that the government was building a network of roads and highways in Balochistan to facilitate trade.

Mr. Jean Luksic told the prime minister that his company, in collaboration with the Barrack Gold of Canada, was executing a copper mining project in Balochistan.