ISLAMABAD, Nov 6: Australia is interested to exploit Thar coal, along with Pakistani investors, and penetrate into the central Asian region for energy development, the High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan Peter Heyward said here on Tuesday.

“My country is interested in Pakistan’s matchless potential in human and natural resource, we can jointly exploit gift of Thar Coal,” he said, and added that Australia can get access to central Asia and Gulf states by using Pakistan as an economic bridge.

He said that major Australian mining and oil and gas companies are keenly watching developments in Pakistan which would help them plan stepping into this promising market.

Mr Heyward was talking to a delegation of Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) led by its founder President Samina Fazil.

IWCCI President Farida Rashid, Adviser IWCCI Malik Sohail, Naima Ansari and others were also present.

“We can further strengthen bonds in education and agriculture sectors too,” said the High Commissioner. Underlining the importance of linkages, Heyward said that Pakistani and Australian businesswomen associations would be linked while his country would offer training, education, networking, information sharing and exchange opportunities to Pakistani women.

Wife of the Ambassador, Ms Suzzane Heyward, said that she would try her best to infuse confidence in business women by encouragement and capacity building measures.

She offered her residence for exhibitions where wives of all Ambassadors would be invited which would help local women entrepreneurs find business and intercommunication opportunities. Samina Fazil highlighted the importance of liberal and deregulated trade regime of Pakistan which offered enormous opportunities for foreign investors.

IWCCI President Farida Rashid said that economies of Pakistan and Australia are compatible which is prerequisite for enhanced bilateral cooperation.