QUETTA, April 21: The Balochistan Chief Minister, Jam Mir Mohammad Yousaf on Monday said his government would consider giving exemption to the foreign investors in local taxes if they invest in the industrial areas of the province and specially in Gwadar.

“We are ready to give incentives and other assistance to the foreign investors in Balochistan,” Jam Yousaf said while talking to a seventeen members Iranian delegation of leading businessmen of Zahidan.

He said the Balochistan had huge reserves of various minerals, other natural resources and 700 km beautiful coastline, which provides ample investment opportunities in the province.

“With the completion of Gwadar deep seaport, Asian countries would have an excess up to the international market,” Jam Yousaf said and added that Gwadar port would also accelerate trade and economic activities in the whole region.

He said that rail and road system between the two countries would be improved. He said President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali were paying special attention to the development of the province and had launched mega development projects to bring this backward province at par with other provinces.

He said that with implementing the projects of Gwadar port, Coastal Highway, restoring of Saindak Copper project and other mega projects Balochistan would be a hub of foreign investment in future.

He urged the Iranian investors to come forward and invest in different sectors of Balochistan and take benefit of the incentives and other assistance of the provincial government. He said the interested foreign investors would be extended all possible help and cooperation while their investment would be provided full protection.