By NNN-APP,
London : The visiting Pakistan Commerce Secretary underscored the need of enhancing trade and investment in the South Asian country as a part of international support in the perspective of new era of democracy following the February 18 Parliamentary elections.
“Pakistan needs trade and not aid”, Syed Asif Shah told a seminar organised by the Asia House Corporate programme in Central London on Friday.
Introducing Pakistan as a investment friendly country, the Commerce Secretary informed that with $ 160 billion GDP, and Foreign Direct Investment of average $ 5-7 billion coupled together with ease of doing business, Pakistan can be counted as one of the friendliest investment country in the world.
Shah said that perception of Pakistan differs from the reality. The foreign investors and expatriates based in Pakistan have entirely different view about the country and its investment environment.
He pointed out that multinational Corporations working in telecommunications services are earning up to 120% profits.
He told the British entrepreneurs that his country enjoys a significantly high ranking in terms of investment friendly policies and this potential must be utilized by investors from UK for enhancing trade and investments in Pakistan, for mutual benefits of both the countries.
Chief Executive Asia House Ms.Charlotte Pinder in her opening remarks introduced Pakistan as a country with remarkable economic growth having immense potential for investments in various sectors.
Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan appreciated the role of Asia House in introducing economic and trade potential of Pakistan to investors in UK .
He said that present government aspires confidence of people but international support in the form of greater investments for strengthening economy was essential to build up this confidence.
The High Commissioner pointed out that existing gaps between demand and supply in sectors such as energy offer huge potential and opportunity to foreign investors.