LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that foreign investment is of key importance for the development of the country. The Punjab government has provided an environment conducive to investment in the province and all facilities are being provided to the investors. He urged upon the foreign investors to come forward and invest in various sectors, especially in energy sector, giving an assurance that the government will welcome them. The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of a new factory of Coca Cola in Raiwind Wednesday. Chairman Coca Cola group Mr Tuncay Ozilhan, US Consul General Carmela Conroy, Chairman Coca Cola Beverages Pakistan Syed Babar Ali, Managing Director Ahsan Rashid, Country Manager Rizwan Khan, industrialists and members of National and Provincial assemblies were also present. The CM welcomed the establishment of a new Coca Cola plant in Raiwind, and said that it will not only encourage foreign investors but also provide employment to the people. He said that it is encouraging that latest technology has been introduced in this factory. He said that the Punjab government will extend all possible cooperation to the Coca Cola group for making more investment in the province. He urged the Coca Cola group to consider investing in the energy sector. Specifically pointing towards the Chairman Coca Cola group Tuncay Ozilhan, who hails from Turkey, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan and Turkey have historic ties and people of both the countries have deep affection for each others. He said Turkey is playing an important role in socio-economic development of Pakistan and has always stood by Pakistan in times of trial. Chairman Coca Cola group Tuncay Ozilhan said that Turkey and Pakistan have strong cordial relations and he sees vast investment opportunities in Pakistan. He emphasized other companies to benefit from these opportunities. He said that the group would invest $300 million in Pakistan in the next three years. Earlier, addressing to the ceremony, US Consul General Carmela Conroy said that America is helping Pakistan to boost its economy and USAID is also cooperating on various projects in this regard. She said that the new Coca Cola plant will generate employment for the local people. In his welcome address, Managing Director Coca Cola Pakistan, Ahsan Rashid said that an investment of $32 million has been made on the plant and latest technology has been introduced in it.