KARACHI, Dec 16: Terming the private sector as the real engine of growth and development, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has asked the business community to take full advantage of investment-friendly policies and enabling environment provided by the government.

He also called upon them to make efforts to project Karachi as the hub of commercial activities at the regional and international level.

The prime minister was talking to a delegation of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Governor’s House here on Friday.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim also attended the meeting.

“Wide ranging structural reforms, prudent economic measures initiated by the government during the last six years and consistency and continuity of economic polices have not only helped the country achieve macroeconomic stability, but also propelled Pakistan along high growth-trajectory,” said the prime minister.

Shaukat Aziz said he was hopeful that despite the devastation caused by the earthquake and unprecedented increase in oil prices internationally, the economy was gaining strength and the country would be able to achieve its growth target.

“The growth continues to be robust. Pakistan has 19 million cell-phone users, teledensity is 17 per cent and growth in the mobile sector is the second highest in Asia.”

He pointed out that at present the government was focusing on bridging the skills gap and would provide short and long-term training skills development programmes.

The prime minister said a stable economy and a functioning democracy had transformed Pakistan’s image at the international level.

The prime minister asked the delegation to make efforts for projecting Karachi as a viable commercial centre and a place suited ideally to investment.

Answering a question, he said the government being aware that industrial land was critical for development of industries, had finalized a policy to provide land on subsidised rates to potential investors and entrepreneurs.

The prime minister said the government was focusing on making Karachi a business-friendly city and it had been trying to provide all necessary facilities and remove hurdles in trade and business activities.

“Karachi is the heart of country’s economy and we are determined to make it even more suitable for the promotion of trade and investment. The transparency and continuity of government policies have encouraged domestic and foreign investors and investments in Pakistan are all time high,” the prime minister added.

—APP