BEIJING, Dec 22: Heads of three Chinese Petroleum Companies met President General Pervez Musharraf here on Saturday morning and expressed their willingness to invest in Pakistan for undertaking oil and gas exploration.

The President told them that his government was laying greater emphasis on the development of the natural resources, particularly, oil, gas and coal. He assured the foreign investors particularly those from the friendly country of China that they would get all possible incentives to undertake the task.

Petroleum Minister Usman Aminuddin who was present during the meeting told APP that the companies would soon enter into formal agreement with Pakistan for exploration of oil and gas. The companies, he added, have also expressed their interest in off-shore drilling.

The companies will also extend support to their financial and technical support for development of oil refinery and distribution system.

Meanwhile, Tiu Jibin, Minister for State Commission of Science and Technology for National Defence also called on the President and discussed with him matters of bilateral interests.

Those who were present on the occasion included Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Commerce Minister Razaq Dawood, Secretary Foreign Affairs and Pakistan Ambassador to China Riaz H. Khokhar.—APP