Friday, May 16, 2008
LAHORE: Senior Country Manager South Asia, for UK Trade and Investment, Peter Courtney has said that Britain, being the largest investor in Pakistan, is ready to multiply its investment in Pakistan and is taking all necessary steps in this regard and urged Pakistani businessmen to come forward for joint ventures.
He expressed these views while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Thursday.
He said that a number of projects were in the pipeline as the consistent economic policies of the present government had impressed the potential British investors who had shown their desire to shift their operations to Pakistan which is not only a corridor to Central Asian States but also fast getting the status of regional economic leader.
He said that the British government would continue to facilitate Pakistani businessmen for the promotion of trade between the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Mohammad Ali Mian said energy deficient Pakistan has a huge potential for British investors. He said during the last five years, the business environment in Pakistan has improved considerably. Its economy has been growing at the rate of 6 per cent on average over the last three years. Hence, the investment cycle is gaining momentum.
He said doing business in Pakistan is comparatively easy to other South Asian nations. It ranks at number two in the South Asian nations after Maldives, in terms of doing business.
He said the potential sectors of interest for the British investors could be infrastructure projects such as hydro-electric power generations, fruits, vegetables, livestock, dairy development, fisheries, horticulture, storage facilities for agricultural products textiles, garments, leather & leather products, chemicals, electrical and electronic appliances, oil and gas, IT, ports & ports handling etc.
“We are particularly keen on British investment that could provide transfer of technology to Pakistan,” he informed.
Pakistan’s major exports to UK include textile yarn & fabrics, articles of apparel & cloth, sports goods, cane molasses, rice, footwear, etc.
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