ISLAMABAD: The two-day dialogue between Pakistan and Qatar to explore collaboration in potential projects that will foster long-term relationship between the two countries began on Monday.

The dialogue between a delegation of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Pakistan’s government officials will explore avenues of mutual collaboration in various sectors.

The delegation met with Prime Minister Imran Khan who welcomed the Qatari interest in various sectors of the economy and highlighted various business opportunities in tourism, housing and other sectors.

However, the delegation, led by Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al-Thani, also met with other key ministers to explore details on projects and specific investment opportunities.

The two-day dialogue is a follow-up to Pakistan-Qatar Investment Forum held in Doha last month. The Qatari delegation includes representatives from various organisations in housing, tourism, real estate and energy sectors.

Finance Minister Asad Umar briefed the members about the steps taken by the government for ease of doing business and facilitating foreign investors with various incentives including rationalisation of tax regime, according to a statement issued by the ministry of finance. The delegation also met with Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Haroon Sharif.

QIA’s head of emerging markets, in a meeting with Dawood, evinced excitement in different potential projects to be discussed during the dialogue and said the meetings would lead to a stronger relationship between Doha and Islamabad in terms of economic and strategic cooperation.

Al-Thani said Qatar wants to enter in a long-term relationship with Islamabad and while discussing the projects added that “right people have been invited to be part of the delegation.” PM’s Adviser Dawood also reciprocated similar commitment to engage in a long-term relationship with Doha.

During the first session of two-day dialogue, BOI Chairman Haroon Sharif explained important projects and discussion points with relevant stakeholders and said the government is open to suggestions from QIA to ensure long-term relationship between the two nations.

The QIA representatives also met with Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan and his team who explained government’s energy policy and highlighted the potential in power sector. Later, they also met with Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema to explore opportunities in the government’s ‘Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme’.

Moreover, Al Thani discussed investment potential in areas such as tourism, energy and infrastructure with Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar.

The planning minister said the government is committed to ensure investor-friendly environment for both local and foreign investors. He added that Islamabad is focusing on developing tourism sector and new tourist spots are being discovered and developed.

Bakhtyar highlighted investment potential in Gwadar Industrial Zone and added that the port city of Balochistan will emerge as regional trade hub. He asked the delegation to invest in various road infrastructure projects across Pakistan adding that some projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will be encouraged on a build-operate-transfer basis.

Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi also discussed investment potential in Gwadar Port and in the maritime sector with the delegation. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari discussed various projects under the overseas ministry with the delegation.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2019