PESHAWAR, Oct 22: Delegates of the Sojourn Pakistan currently on a visit of the NWFP, on Wednesday observed that climate for investment in Pakistan was friendly and conducive.
The delegates comprising expatriates and overseas Pakistanis were drove through the historic Khyber Pass and briefed about the historical and strategic importance of the pass at Michni Checkpoint by Commandant of Khyber Rifles Colonel Shahid Riaz.
They were also informed about the demographic features of major tribes, road network, communication and organizational and administrative setup of the Frontier Corps and its role in the maintenance of public order during war and peace.
Minister of State and Chairman of National Commission for Human Development Dr Nasim Ashraf and President of Pakistan Human Development Fund Farrukh Captain accompanied the delegates during the visit.
Recording their comments about the visit, Muzammil Malik, a Real Estate Agent in Michigan, USA, said that the economic reforms initiated during the past few years had paved the way for foreign investment in Pakistan.
He said he was highly impressed by the thought-provoking statement of NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani which he made during a meeting with the delegates last night.
He said the NWFP chief minister offered every kind of assistance and cooperation for attracting investment in the province.
Responding to a question, he said of the over 15 million overseas Pakistanis, 62 per cent wanted to invest in their homeland provided they were given due protection of their investment.
Jean Boschung of Switzerland, who is dealing in Trade Finance Consultancy, when contacted told APP that life seemed to be normal and calm in Pakistan and environ suitable for economic development.” Negative propaganda by the Western media, he said, had in fact, vitiated the atmosphere for investment in Pakistan.
The visit of the delegates under Sojourn Pakistan campaign, he said, had effectively countered the negative impact of the media propaganda. Moreover, he said, the expatriate Pakistanis were also making strong endeavours to fight it.
In reply to a question, the Swiss delegate said the European companies were interested in import from Pakistan for which the Government of Pakistan would have to provide additional guarantees for LCs of Pakistani banks.
Mr Mark, an American Investor dealing in the software business, told APP that atmosphere in Pakistan was conducive for investment and praised the economic reforms of the government.
President of Pakistan Human Development Fund (PHDF) Farrukh Captain said for the first time 140 people from allover the world had come to Pakistan under the Sojourn Pakistan campaign to explore investment avenues.
He said the PHDF had played the role of a facilitator while NCHD was its implementing agency in the Human Resource Development Programme launched in the country.
He said there was great potential for investment existed in the NWFP for the mining industry.
Later, the delegates witnessed Khattak, Mehsud and Bittani dances and evinced keen interest in them.
Dr Nasim Ashraf, Chairman of NCHD, presented a shield of the NCHD to Col Shahid Riaz, Commandant of Khyber Rifles. Similarly, a replica of Michni checkpoint was presented to the Chairman of NCHD by the Commandant Khyber Rifles.—APP