ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that due to the country's geo-strategic location, availability of skilled manpower and raw materials and low manufacturing cost, Pakistan has become a destination of choice for foreign investments.

He said that Pakistan offers enormous investment opportunities in every sector of the national economy, particularly in the field of energy as there is a surge in demand in the energy and power sectors due to economic growth and improvement in the living standard of the people.

The prime minister was speaking to Federal Minister for Finance, Shaukat Tareen and the Chairman, Board of Investment (BOI), Saleem H. Mandviwala, who called on him at PM House on Saturday morning.

Gilani said the government is continuously monitoring the demand and supply situation of energy and will take every step to overcome energy shortages and in maintaining a momentum of growth and development. He asked the BOI to invite foreign investors to explore possibilities in sectors like power generation and in helping in the exploration of oil and gas.

The prime minister said that the BOI should work vigorously towards bringing more foreign investment in the country. He underscored the need for attracting the investors to take full advantage of the investment friendly atmosphere present in Pakistan.

Gilani was informed that the BOI has already started prioritising its goals and targets, keeping in view the specific instructions given by the prime minster. He said various initiatives for bringing more FDI into the country are under way and expressed the hope that this years investment will surpass last year's figures. -Online