ISLAMABAD  - Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday said that there is huge potential of foreign investment exists in Pakistan particularly in energy and infrastructure sectors.
He said this while talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador designate to Qatar, Shehzad Ahmad who called on him. Finance Minister said that we have introduced a very robust economic revival programme which includes public private partnership on the basis of Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The Finance Minister said that the new initiatives will be instrumental for economic rebuilding. Important initiatives include deregulation, undertaking structural reforms to improve management of public finances and making Pakistan an attractive investment destination.
He said that Qatar has expertise in energy sector and the Ambassador should encourage the potential investors from Qatar on opportunities available in the country. The Finance Minister emphasised that it is now for the Pakistani missions abroad to draw attention of the investors to Pakistan where huge potential is available for foreign investment.
The Ambassador designate briefed the Minister on his plans to represent Pakistan effectively in Qatar. The Ambassador designate assured the Finance Minister that he will work hard to enhance existing cooperation between the two countries. He also thanked the Finance Minister for his Ministry’s commitment and support to provide assistance in attracting foreign investment in the country.
Meanwhile, special envoy to PM for Overseas Investment, Ambassador Javed Malik called on the Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Ambassador Javed Malik informed the Finance Minister that the international investors group led by him had very useful meetings with the government officials during his visit. He said that the group has decided to set up an office in Islamabad for coordination between the investors and the Board of Investment. He informed that the investment group has promised to deliver and translate into action their plans to build on partnership with Pakistan. The Ambassador hoped that there will be one window facility for overseas investors in order to attract them for investment in energy and infrastructure development sectors. He also informed the Minister that the Pakistani Diaspora is eager to invest in their homeland.
The Finance Minister appreciated his efforts and assured him of his support and assistance in attracting overseas Pakistanis and international investors to invest in the country where huge potential is available in telecom, energy and infrastructure development. He said that the remittances from overseas Pakistanis have grown by 10pc in the last seven months which is a positive sign for their confidence in economic policies.
He said that the energy sector and hydro carbon exploration are the priority areas as the country needs to meet its energy requirements. He said that the international investors will be facilitated on the fast track to do businesses in the country. He added that it will be win-win for both Pakistan which needs FDI and the international investors who are looking for reasonable returns to their investments.