News: OICCI team meets PM
Name of the Newspaper: Daily Times
Date of publication: Thursday, March 22, 2007
Website:http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C03%
5C22%5Cstory_22-3-2007_pg5_11

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan expects $5 billion foreign investment in current fiscal year 2006-07, which will generate economic opportunities and jobs in the country.

The average 7.5 percent growth achieved in last three years has placed Pakistan among fastest growing economies of Asia, he observed while talking to a delegation of Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI) led by its President Salman Burney Wednesday in Karachi.

“The success of our reform agenda is getting increasing recognition from international credible organizations. Pakistan’s ranking has improved in terms of competitiveness in World Economic Forum’s annual report. World Bank & IFC in their report ranked Pakistan among top ten performers of the world and in case of doing business it was ranked among many Asian states,” Shaukat Aziz noted.

He said hassle free environment for investors, consistency, continuity of policies and transparency of procedures made Pakistan destination of choice and they should take full advantage of these. The government is providing level playing field to local and foreign investors. All sectors of economy are open for investment. “We are committed to give private sector required platform to grow. it is for you to tap opportunities,” the PM said.

He felt Pakistan’s geo-strategic location makes it an ideal location to become regional hub for manufacturing. The government is improving logistics chains and bringing efficiencies in process to improve competitiveness and productivity.