QUETTA, March 12: Industrialists from Canada have shown keen interest to invest in oil and gas, minerals, tourism and other sectors in Balochistan. A high-level investment delegation headed by Chief Secretary K. B Rind now visiting Canada had a meeting with the Canadian investors and industrialists in Toronto.

According to official sources the delegation during its stay in Canada explored the possibility of joint ventures with Canada in different sectors and apprised the investors of the incentives and other facilities the Balochistan government was offering to the investors in the province especially in Gwadar Industrial Estate.

The chief secretary informed the Canadian businessmen that after the announcement of a liberal investment policy and other incentives a large number of foreign investors had shown keen interest in investing in Balochistan. "Foreign investment would bring a positive impact on the economy of the country and especially Balochistan," he said.

He said that the province had great potential for investment in minerals, fisheries, mining, tourism, livestock and agriculture sectors. He further said that many foreign companies were already working on various mineral exploration projects.

He explained in detail the progress made on the Saindak gold project and Ricko-Dek gold and cooper projects and said that the Chinese, Chilean and Canadian companies were working on these projects.

He said that the Gwadar Port would become functional during this month as President Musharraf is likely to inaugurate the new port on March 20. Mr Rind told Dawn from Toronto that his visit to Canada was extremely successful as the delegation got the opportunity to meet a number of investors and leading industrialists.

A Pakistani born Canadian industrialist Nasir Hussain also had a meeting with the delegation and enquired about the possibilities of investment in Gwadar, the new port city of Balochistan.