Business opportunities: Pakistan is safe for investment, says Shahbaz

Exim Bank of America expresses interest in investing in Punjab

LAHORE:

“The business environment in Pakistan is conducive for investment. The government has been providing all-out facilities to investors in this regard,” Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.

He was speaking to a delegation, headed by Export-Import Bank of the United States Chairman Fred P Hochberg, which called on him in Islamabad on Monday. Matters related to trade, economy and investment in development projects were discussed.

The chief minister said that work on several energy projects was under way. These included schemes for power generation using alternative resources in various areas across the province, he said.

Sharif said several projects of public welfare and infrastructure development were under way. He claimed that the pace of economic development had accelerated in the country. “International monetary institutions and many countries now prefer to invest in Pakistan. This has created new business and employment opportunities,” he said.

The chief minister said the economic activity had accelerated owing to prudent policies of the government.

He said the purpose of such policies was well-being of common man. He said the government was also committed to the country’s development.

Hochberg expressed the bank’s interest in investing in Pakistan. He praised government policies aimed at the country’s economic development.

The delegation included American Consul General Zachary Hakenrider, American Trade Finance Vice President Annette B Maresh and Trade Finance Senior Vice President Scot P Schloegel. Water and Power Secretary Muhammad Younis, Economic Affairs Division Secretary Tariq Bajwa, the Planning and Development Board chairman, the provincial energy secretary and the Lahore Development Authority director general were also present.

CM meets parliamentarians

“Pakistan is on its way to peace and prosperity under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,” the chief minister said during a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz elected representatives who also called on him on Monday.

The chief minister said the sit-ins by political parties had posed hurdles to the country’s development. He said the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan had been postponed owing to the sit-in [in Islamabad].

“Had the visit not been postponed, load shedding would have been ended earlier in Pakistan,” he said. He said people had voted against those who did not want Pakistan to progress. “The enlightened people of Pakistan have rejected such elements, and will not be hoodwinked by them.”

He said that instead of agitating everyone should work for the country’s progress.

Sharif said China had announced a $46 billion package to help strengthen Pakistan’ economy. “This is an invaluable gift for the people of Pakistan. It is time to benefit from the package,” he said.

He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor would usher in a new era of prosperity in Pakistan. The CPEC projects are being completed quickly, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th,  2016.