August 17, 2007	Friday	Sha’aban 3, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Thursday the government would ensure continuity of policies to maintain the growth momentum. Talking to a business delegation led by FPCCI President Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh he said the reform agenda implemented by the government had resulted in record development and growth.

Mr Aziz said that consistency, transparency and continuity of economic policies had resulted in changing the economic landscape of the country. Country has come out of low growth and low investment syndrome and the continuation of reform process would help establish the economic foundations wherein the positive trends will be further consolidated, he added.

The prime minister said the 7.5 per cent average growth rate achieved over the last seven years had positioned Pakistan among the faster growing economies of Asia. He said per capita income and the size of the economy had doubled during the last seven years reflecting success of economic policies.

Mr Aziz said the middle class was growing and demand was increasing both in urban and rural areas, which coupled with investment-friendly policies had increased the scope and potential for local and foreign investment in most of areas.

He said the government was taking every step to facilitate the private sector to grow further. The government believes in consultation with all stakeholders and will continue to pursue business friendly policies to maintain growth momentum, he said.

The delegation expressed confidence in the policies of the government and said the reforms had resulted in tremendous opportunities for the growth of private sector.

The FPCCI leaders said that the consistency and continuity of policies had provided the opportunity to business community to plan for future. The business-friendly policies have attracted unprecedented investment from local and foreign investors, they added.