PBTIF to undertake huge investment in Pakistan’s mineral sector
ISLAMABAD, Sept 14 (APP): Pakistan-Britain Trade and Investment Forum (PBTIF) has expressed its determination to invest in the mineral sector of Pakistan to prove that Pakistan was an attractive destination for the investors because of its huge mineral potential.This determination was expressed by a delegation of the Business Mission from Pakistan-Britain Trade and Investment Forum that called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here Wednesday.The members of the delegation said that they had undertaken such ventures in the mineral fields in many parts of the world which were known as highly volatile and divided social set ups to the core.The delegates said that their company had successfully undertaken the mineral projects in South Africa despite the situation in the country due to the racial discrimination and tribal feuds in the past. Such adverse circumstances are not unusual in the mineral exploitation business, they added.
The Prime Minister directed the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and the Chairman Board of Investment to help in identifying the projects keeping in view the interests of the economy of the country as a whole.
Gilani held out an assurance that his government would facilitate the potential investors to the possible extent and the irritants, if any, would be addressed by the Board Investment expeditiously.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has excellent relations with the UK and also mentioned his very useful meeting with the country’s Deputy Prime Minister during his visit in the recent past.
He said that the presence of Mrs. Saeeda Warsi, who hails from Rawalpindi District, at the top hierarchy of the British Government was a great source of support for Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that relations with the UK were based on mutual respect and equality and appreciated the country for the generous assistance in many fields especially in fields of education and pharmaceutical sectors.
The Prime Minister stated that he was happy to know that the delegation had useful meetings with the Sindh Chief Minister and the Governor, and today they are going to Quetta to meet the top leadership of the Balochistan Government.
The meeting with the Punjab Government will also take place during their stay in Pakistan.
The delegation mentioned during their meeting that Pakistan was like a “hidden Jewel” as the mineral potential of world class deposits of copper, gold, coal, gemstones had not been utilized for improving the quality of life of the people.
One of the delegates said that the Business and Investment Forum would prove to the international business community that Pakistan is a gateway for the mega international companies operating in the mineral business.
Pakistan is not a dangerous place to business community and their visit to Karachi and today to Balochistan is the physical manifestation of the commitment and conviction that the country is an attractive destination for the investors and they will prove it so to the world, he added.
The members of the delegation were of the view that Pakistan had good infrastructure, social cohesion and young dedicated youth which were essential ingredients to undertake mineral projects bearing excellent prospects.
The delegation of Pakistan-Britain Trade and Investment Forum included Tim Holmes, Peter Tibber, Acting High Commissioner, Nadim Khan, Toby Mannock, Rudolph De Bruin, Ian McDoland, Dr. David Twist, Antony Dutton, Dr. Davis Twist, Gareth O’Donovan, Nadeem Khan, Pidgeon, and Ms. Saira Ahmad.
Chairman Board of Investment, Saleem H. Mandviwala, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haq, Managing Director Thar Coal Energy Board, M. Younus Dagha, Director General, Minerals, Ministry of Petroleum, Irshad Ali Khokhar and other high officials attended the meeting.