ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: The Coca Cola Company has informed the government about its plans to make substantial investment in Pakistan that could generate around 12,000 direct and 45,000-90,000 indirect job opportunities in five years.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce said that this was stated by Ahmet C. Bozer, the President of Coca Cola Eurasia & Middle East Division, who called on Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood here on Wednesday.

This decision has been taken by the Coca-Cola management after having observed the success in the country’s sustainable policies of debt management, export growth and growth in foreign reserves, said the ministry.

The minister told the Coca Cola president that duties on inputs were re-examined by the government to evolve a rational duty structure on Coca-Cola products in line with the rest of world.

He said the government would take all measures to provide “level playing field” to local as well as foreign investors, and accordingly all its tariff re-structuring was being continually done to make the environment further investment friendly.

Mr Razak apprised the businessmen of firm and far reaching investment strategy evolved by the government with main emphasis on privatization, liberalization and deregulation, which has yielded in bringing the Pakistan at B+ (B plus) international credit rating from C- (C minus).

He told the Coca Cola president that there was a dire need to convey the perception of Pakistan in international community as moderate, prosperous and peaceful developing country.

Answering to a question about the continuation of present investment polices, Razak Dawood said the government was working out modalities to formulate a set-up through which going back on these policies for ulterior or personal motives would not be possible because it was the prime concern of the government and public at large.

While deliberating on the major steps undertaken, Mr Razak said the government was working with new investment vision encompassing total transparency, inducting technocrats in the cabinet, ensuing good governance, continuation of policies and maintenance of law and order.

He said the investors were free to invest, take back their capital and profits and expand their investment activities under the most conducive investment atmosphere provided in this part of the region.

The minister made special mention of the regulations which facilitate all investors for exporting their products to Afghanistan from Pakistan in dollars and availing of export duty refund package.