ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed the Board of Investment (BoI) to prepare a long-term strategy building the country’s image as the most attractive destination for investment.

The premier said the country was facing challenge of terrorism and negative perception abroad.

The country needed a long-term vision to attract foreign and domestic investment to eradicate the menace of terrorism, he added.

‘Adjustment of policy and offering better returns on investment is required to make Pakistan more attractive for foreign investors,’ Mr Gilani said while addressing the third meeting of the BoI at PM House on Thursday.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards reviving economy, providing employment and eliminating poverty through increased foreign and domestic investment, and said that it was the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who initiated the investment promotion agency in 1989.

The agency has now grown into the Board of Investment and acquired the status of a ministry, the premier remarked.

The BoI was also directed to extend the one-window facility to prospective investors across the country and particularly in commercially-viable cities like Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar.

He also directed the board to launch initiatives to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in manufacturing, agriculture, oil and gas and power sectors.

‘Pakistan not only has the potential to become self-sufficient in food but would also serve as regional hub to export agro products,’ Gilani said and directed the BoI to hold the board meeting every three months.

BoI Chairman Saleem Mandviwala briefed the meeting about the working and various initiatives undertaken to attract the FDI.

The meeting was informed that the board was promoting the concept of public-private partnership in infrastructure projects vital for the economic development of the country.

The meeting also decided that investment schemes would be initiated for overseas Pakistanis.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Minister for Investment Waqar Ahmad Khan, Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali, FBR Chairman Sohail Ahmad, BoI Secretary Tariq Iqbal Puri, Kamran Mirza of Pakistan Business Council, Farrukh H. Khan of Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry and board members from the private sector.