KARACHI: There is a need for friendly nations in the West, particularly in Europe to review their tariff regime towards Pakistani exports to make it fair and equitable to help the country achieve its export potential.

Despite security and infrastructure challenges the country has all it takes in terms of basic resource base and business- friendly policies to make it one of the most attractive investment destination in this part of the world.

The business community expects good days ahead as the world economy has started showing signs of recovery. To pounce on the anticipated business opportunities in 2010-11 the corporate Pakistan supports the government in its efforts to restore peace that is vital for expansion of the business and the economy.

It is imperative for the government to launch a comprehensive energy policy developed in consultation with provinces to energise business in the country. The current mix of the source of energy generation that relies, too, heavily on furnace oil, was criticised and considered unsustainable.

There is a demand to promote coal-based projects and projects of renewable energy sources to cope with the power shortage challenge in medium and long run.

These views were expressed by key business players at a roundtable called by Swiss Business Council on Saturday in Karachi to discuss ‘Economic potential and opportunities in Pakistan.’

About twenty top notch business leaders and relevant federal and provincial government officials held focussed discussions on how to turn around under-performing economy of Pakistan in the presence of diplomats from Switzerland, France, Germany, Japan, China, and US, etc.

All speakers that included Farhat Ali, president Swiss Business Council, Mohibullah Shah, chairman Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan, Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, adviser to the PM on textiles, Tariq Iqbal Puri, secretary, ministry of investment, Asad Ali Shah, chairman Thar Coal and Energy Board and Adnan Afridi, managing director, Karachi Stock Exchange.

Martin Bienz, Consul General of Switzerland, Francis Widmer, Commercial Counsellor, Consulate General de France and Kanwal Bokharey, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation reiterated their commitment to assist Pakistan to develop by capitalising on its advantages in untapped resource base.