ISLAMABAD: The UK-based investors have shown keen interest in forging joint ventures in the areas of port and shipping, engineering, infrastructure development and transportation of haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

A British delegation, led by Farah Waters, held a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar here on Thursday and informed him that the Seacrest Shipping Company Limited (SSCL) and Salfo & Associates were interested in setting up joint ventures with Pakistani investors.

“We would like to provide assistance in projects related to infrastructure and energy and could initiate joint ventures in the transportation of coal and consultancy services for different projects,” she said.

Loannis Foteinos of SSCL offered shipping service for haj pilgrims saying it would be on highly competitive rates as compared to expensive air travel.

The finance minister also invited the group to exploration of hydrocarbons and informed them that success rate in Pakistan was one of the highest as compared to other regions.

Dar hoped British investors would participate in competitive biddings for energy projects through a transparent procedure.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2014