April 23, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 16, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 22: Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF) of the Ministry of Finance has identified 44 projects worth $1.4 billion in the fields of airports, seaports, railways, bridges, roads, mass transit system, municipal services and hydro projects.

This was stated by IPDF Chief Executive Officer Aijaz Ahmad while talking to a visiting Italian delegation of private companies dealing in infrastructure and other mega development projects here on Tuesday.

The delegation, led by Italian Ambassador Vinchenzo Prati, was briefed on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework and investor-friendly policies for foreign investment in the country’s infrastructure development.

Italy wanted to invest in hydro-power generation, railways, roads and infrastructure projects in Pakistan, in collaboration with the local companies, said the Italian ambassador.

“Pakistan has rich opportunities for heavy investment in various sectors, in addition to having introduced encouraging policies, which attract especially foreign investors”, he said during a meeting with senior officials of the Investment Division and Board of Investment.

Mr Ahmed Waqar, Secretary, Investment Division and Board of Investment, welcomed the Italian leaders of construction and development industry and said that in the past also Italian construction and development firms have remained very active in Pakistan, particularly in the water energy infrastructure projects.Pakistan would again welcome Italian private sector, he said.

Representatives of local construction industries were also present.

The members of the delegation included Ambassador Gerado Carante, Diplomatic Counselor ANCE, Bernadino Chiaia, Vice Rector, Politecnico di Torino, Dr Gastone Guerrini, Guerrini Company, Dr Alberto Regis, Guerrini Pivato Company, Shamsher Alam, G M Guerrini Privato Company and Dr Michele Bulgaro, Verona Expo.