KARACHI, March 20: President Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that the country’s vibrant economy and unprecedented growth were encouraging foreign direct investment. The president was speaking at a gala dinner of Textile Asia 2006 exhibition held at the Governor’s House here.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Corps Commander Lt-Gen Syed Ather Ali, Minister for Textile Industry Mushtaq Ali Cheema, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Sindh Industries Minister Adil Siddiqui, ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, high officials and the city’s elite were also present.

“I am personally trying to encourage FDI into Pakistan,” said the president, adding that he was encouraging investors to come to Pakistan and organising meetings. These meetings are usually chaired by him and attended by foreign investors, government officials and stakeholders.

He said the problems identified by investors are resolved then and there.

He said in future too he would continue to be involved in this process because “when we attract investment into Pakistan, whether it is FDI or local investors opening factories, we are creating jobs”. “And when we create jobs, we contribute towards poverty alleviation and thus we are striking at the root of extremism and terrorism,” he added.

He said the government would welcome all sorts of investment whether it was from foreign investors, Pakistani expatriates or local investors.

The president said the government had created an investment-friendly environment in Pakistan and would continue to improve it. —APP