To lure EU members, CPEC conference planned in Portugal

Event aims to enlighten foreign investors about incentives provided by Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: In order to promote foreign investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an International Investment Conference is scheduled to be held in Porto, Portugal in mid-October 2017, chief organiser of the event and business leader Wasim Khokhar told APP.

The conference will be organised by the Bridging Trade International (BTI) from October 12 to 15, aimed at promoting and bringing foreign investment especially from European Union (EU) countries.

The conference titled “Bridging Trade and Investment Conference 2017” is being organised in collaboration with the Business Association of Portugal and other global partners including Board of Investment (BOI).

“We are committed to bringing foreign investment for CPEC by exploring new markets in EU countries,” he said, adding that the main objective of the conference is to enhance the level of foreign investment especially in infrastructure, software development, electronics, engineering, agro-food, value-added textile, tourism and construction industries.

Khokhar said that in the first phase, BTI will organise a conference in Portugal and the second phase will consist of a series of conferences in different EU countries for promoting and attracting foreign investment in Pakistan.

This event will bring together business leaders from a diverse group of companies and help them select locations for investment and market development and link businesses, researchers and investments for enabling communities.

He said that the main objective of the conference is to introduce foreign investors to the opportunities offered by CPEC along with special faciltiies being provided by the Pakistani government for investors.

Replying to a question, he said the event was also aimed at reviewing activities related to stakeholders within the region to assess the possibilities for future businesses. The motto of this conference is to bring stakeholders together which will undoubtedly lead to greater benefits for Pakistan, he said.

He elaborated that BTI is an investment forum which was established to promote Pakistan and its products and industry around the globe.

BTI has its head Office in Poland’s Capital Warsaw which helps in covering European markets, he said, adding that it has presence in China and Brazil as well.

He said that Pakistan’s geographical location makes it one of the most important trade routes of the world and the area has traditionally been a centre for exchange of cultures and commerce between South, South East, West and Central Asia.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2017.

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