ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: President General Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistan is now becoming an attractive place for investment because economy is growing at a fast pace and the government is making efforts to pass these gains to common man.

The president was talking to Minister for Tourism from Oman Dr Rajiha Bint Ameer Ali and Sameh Onsi Sawiris, chief executive of Orascom Hotel and Development who called on him here on Monday.

The delegation is visiting Pakistan to select sites for investment in the field of tourism and low-cost housing.

Welcoming the members of the delegation, the President spoke about the immense potential that Pakistan offered in the field of tourism.

He said tourism was now recognised as a valuable tool to strengthen economic, social and cultural development of any country, particularly in the case of the developing countries.

He said that tourism was also considered to be a significant source of employment for millions of people.

The delegation informed the president that during their visit to Pakistan, they had visited Karachi, Keenjhar, Gwadar, and Lahore to see the possibility of investment in hotel industry.

Mr Sameh Sawiris, whose company owns a hotel in Egypt informed the President that Pakistan had immense potential as a major tourist attraction and the purpose of his visit along with the Oman Tourism Minister was to see the possibility of joint investment in Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Tourism Ms Nilofar Bakhtiar and the Minister for Privatisation and Investment Mr Zahid Hamid were also present during the meeting.