Azerbaijan offers investment in power

Has prepared an feasibility plan for K-P.

PESHAWAR: The government of Azerbaijan is willing to invest in the power sector of Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as the extremely weak bilateral trade ties between the two countries should be strengthened, said Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Pakistan.

Addressing the business community at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) here on Thursday, Dashgin Shikarov said a comprehensive strategy had been developed to enhance trade between the two countries. In this connection, Azerbaijan could make immediate investment in power projects of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

“During a visit to Azerbaijan, Senator Ghulam Ali (a business leader) requested our government to help Pakistan, especially Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, overcome the power crisis. As a result, our government has approved an investment plan for the province,” he said, adding if the provincial government identified a site for that purpose they could immediately start work on it.

Speaking on the occasion, FPCCI Vice-President Zubair Ali pointed to the low volume of trade between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, which was not more than a few thousand dollars and suggested that this should be increased to a considerable level.

“We need to exchange trade delegations to increase the trade volume, which will benefit both the countries and its people,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2012.