Gilani invites Russian investors
ST. PETERSBURG,(Russia) Nov 6 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Sunday invited Russian investors to benefit from lucrative incentives in Pakistan and said country’s institutional stability was now guaranteed by the constitutional amendments and its investment regime.Addressing a dinner hosted in his honour by Ambassador Khalid Khattak and attended by members of Pakistani community, businessmen and senior officials here, Gilani said the conditions in Pakistan augur well for foreign businesses and for partnerships with Pakistan. He said there was also wide scope to initiate collaboration in various fields, particularly in energy, metallurgy, manufacturing, trade and investments.The Government of Pakistan, on its part, will not only support, but go more than half way to invite and involve Russia’s businesses and investors in Pakistan’s economic development, Gilani said soon after his arrival at the city known all over the world for its architectural grandeur and beauty, and for its rich cultural and historical heritage.
Prime Minister Gilani said the Pakistani community abroad has to play an important role as they are the real representatives of the country and their support and involvement in building stronger economic and human ties between the  two countries was of crucial importance.
He said it was his first visit to Russia and to Saint Petersburg - a city, whose  dwellers  demonstrated their valor and fortitude in defeating dark forces of fascism, and has given great leadership to Russia.
He also noted that only recently Saint Petersburg and Pakistan’s industrial and commercial hub - Karachi have signed “partnership protocol.”        
 He said Pakistan attaches great importance to SCO and hopes that in the days to come it will play even a more greater role in bringing stability, peace and prosperity to the region.
 He said the purpose of his visit was to bring a message of friendship and strong desire on behalf of the people of Pakistan, for forging closer and stronger relations, not just with the people of St. Petersburg, but the entire Russian Federation. 
 Pakistan and Russia were located in the same extended neighbourhood and said his country perceives greater role by Russia as a factor of stability, peace and development, not just in the region, but also in the world, he added.
 Gilani said Pakistan sees Prime Minister Putin’s proposal of Eurasian Union as a positive initiative for the well being and socio-economic uplift of all those countries, that would form this union.
Pakistan also hopes that Eurasian Union will become a bridge of friendship and cooperation between Europe and Asia, he remarked.
The Prime Minister said in the current global economic crisis, bilateral and regional cooperation has become a greater necessity.
It is only through bilateral, and intra and inter-regional cooperation, that the negative fallout of the global economic crisis can be contained to some extent, he stressed.
 Gilani said  Pakistan today faced more than its share of challenges ranging from countering terrorism to building a more robust economy and a strong polity. 
 He said thanks to the democratic dispensation that has empowered the people of Pakistan, the government was confident to overcome its current difficulties and achieve the cherished objectives.
Today, the political and national will for doing so, is in abundance, he added.
The Prime Minister said notwithstanding calamities like the floods, that have hit Pakistan for the second time and strains of global economic crisis, environment for making investments is suitable and the sound macros of Pakistan economy, illustrate this fact.
He said Pakistan’s stock markets were by and large stable and its exports are on the rise with highest ever foreign exchange reserves.
 The event was attended by Minister for Petroleum Dr. Asim Hussain, Chairman Board of Investment Saleem Mandviwala and Senator Sughra Imam.