ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz on Wednesday said Pakistan was a Country which was poised for large economic growth due to its geographical position.
Talking to a British delegation led by the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan Rehman Chishti in Islamabad, Daniyal Aziz welcomed UK’s interest for investment in Pakistan and appreciated the long-standing bilateral relations between both Countries.
The minister also appreciated the British companies doing business with, and in, Pakistan, terming their active role a huge contribution to Pakistan’s economic development.
Daniyal Aziz apprised the delegation of Pakistan’s privatization program and welcomed UK investment in the companies listed for early privatization.
The privatization minister encouraged the United Kingdom to look into investing in areas of transport, manufacturing, energy, financial institutions and infrastructure and participate in the open and transparent privatization transactions. He especially highlighted two public entities, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) as the two biggest bleeding entities in need of revival for profit-making.
“Pakistan is open for business”, said Daniyal Aziz said.
Rehman Chishti said the UK government was committed to increase the trade and business opportunities between the United Kingdom and Pakistan by scaling up its trade relations through cross-sectoral business partnership.
The envoy said Pakistan was a key priority for the United Kingdom, and that UK always supported Pakistan’s entry into the GSP Plus and would continue to extend its support for development and trade.
The British delegation comprised senior business representatives which included the British Deputy High Commissioner Elin Burns, the Senior Manager (Mott McDonalds) Ali Aziz, the Project Principal (Mott McDonald) Mark Gill, the Partner (Norton Rose Fulbright) Farmida Bi, the Senior Executive Officer (Jardine Lloyd Thompson) Stephen Hart, the Investment Director Infrastructure (Commonwealth Development Corporation PLC) Michael Dryer, the Investment Manager, Infrastructure (CDC PLC) Saad Ul Islam, and the Deputy Director Trade British High Commission Matt Lister.
