Pakistan termed good investment destination

UK businessmen wooed in seminar on business prospects in Birmingham.

LAHORE: Pakistan is a good destination for investment as it offers an excellent platform to UK businessmen for being a gateway to landlocked Central Asian states and the Middle East in supply of goods and services.

These views were expressed by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh while speaking at a seminar on “Business prospects in Pakistan”, arranged by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.

The LCCI president, who was leading a 37-strong business delegation, said Pakistan being situated in the heart of Asia provided a gateway for businesses looking to expand into the Middle East and South Asian markets.

Sheikh said Pakistan was open for business and entrepreneurs and investors could play a major role in its economic recovery as the government was committed to ensuring that the country became an attractive destination for them.

He underlined the need for collaboration among dynamic institutions for exploring business opportunities, which would go a long way in bringing much-needed positive turnaround in Pakistan’s economy.

The LCCI delegation expressed interest in collaboration and joint ventures with UK-based companies.

“We are here to play our due role to explore ways to promote investment and support businesses. We believe that our efforts will contribute to increasing trade between Pakistan and the UK to £2.5 billion by 2015, which is the vision of prime ministers of Pakistan and UK,” Sheikh said.

“Our economy is growing at around 3.5% to 4%, exports have increased to the record level of $25 billion, law and order situation has significantly improved and inflation has been checked,” Sheikh said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2012.