ISLAMABAD: International Hospitality Investment Group (IHIG) CEO Noorul Asif on Thursday expressed interest in investing $118 million in the tourism industry of Pakistan. Asif said this during a meeting with Board of Tourism Chairman Zulfi Bukhari.
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister Secretariat, a statement said. Bukhari assured the IHIG chairman about Pakistan’s commitment to extend all possible support to foreign investors.
Also present on the occasion were IHIG Chairman Alun Richards, Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Political Affairs Naeem ul Haq, and Board of Investment (BoI) Chairmain Haroon Sharif.
Richards, expressed his company’s commitment to invest $118 million in the tourism and hospitality sector of Pakistan, which would create 4,000 job opportunities in the country.
IHIG has already acquired two hotels in Shogran and Bhurban to elevate the standards of this developing industry.
Being the first company that has aligned itself with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, IHIG would be promoting tourism by facilitating the international tourists coming to Pakistan.
“I have spent half of my childhood in Pakistan. Over the recent years, the perception of this beautiful country has changed positively, among the global community,” Richards said.
An increasingly large number of tourists from all over the world were already expressing the desire to visit Pakistan, where they could explore the diversity of pristine landscapes, ranging from the world’s highest mountains to scenic beaches on a long coastline, along with lush green fields, vast deserts and much more.
The historic traditions of hospitality and the variety of sumptuous cuisines also provide many unforgettable experiences, Richards said, adding that the government’s new policy of granting e-visas for 175 countries was a brilliant initiative that promises great convenience for international tourists.
“Pakistan is the only country in the world which attracts all segments of tourism, to see the mesmerising beauty of northern areas, especially the Kaghan valley that offers a multitude of exciting attractions and scenery for the domestic and international tourists, with its beautiful weather conditions throughout the year,” the IHIG chairman said.
He also said that a soft image of Pakistan was being recognised by the whole world now, “so we are ready to invest on building its potential by capitalising on the tourist-friendly gestures and strong goodwill of the new government”.