LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that promotion of investment is of vital importance for poverty alleviation and elimination of unemployment from the country, therefore, government is taking all out measures for increasing investment and development of industrial sector. He said that large participation of foreign investors in the international investment conference held recently in Islamabad reflects their full confidence in the economic policies of the government. He said that a solid strategy has been adopted by the government, led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, for accelerating the process of investment in the country and foreign investors are expressing keen interest in investment in different sectors.
He was talking to a delegation of Pakistani businessmen and investors in London, on Thursday. The Chief Minister said that stability of democracy results in increase in economic and trade activities in a country. He said that an attempt was made to hamper the process of investment in Pakistan through promoting chaos in the country through long march, sit-ins and protest politics which not only tarnished the image of Pakistan at international level but an irreparable loss was also caused to the national economy. He said that due to sit-ins. the visits of Chinese president, heads of other countries and various high level foreign delegations were postponed. He said that during the visit of the Chinese president, agreements worth billions of dollars were to be signed while foundation stone of some projects was also to be laid but due to sit-ins these projects aimed at progress and prosperity of the masses were delayed. He said that 180 million people of Pakistan will never forgive the elements who caused hurdles in the process of national development. However, Shahbaz Sharif said, only those nations achieve success which forget their unpleasant past and display a spirit of hard work and commitment. He said that the government will also follow this principle and the time wasted due to sit-ins and negative politics will be made up through struggle and dedication. He said that a conducive atmosphere has been created in Punjab for the promotion of investment. He said that there is a vast scope of investment in energy and other sectors and Pakistani investors and businessmen should benefit from investment opportunities in the province. He said that measures taken for promotion of investment in Punjab have yielded positive results. The Chief Minister further said that special incentives are being offered on priority basis to the investors in energy sector. He said that Punjab Investment Board is playing an active role for solution of problems of investors and provision of facilities to them under one-roof. He said that government is also making serious efforts for overcoming energy crisis being faced by the country. He said that resolving of energy problem at the earliest is necessary for promotion of industry and investment and every possible measure is being taken for this purpose. He said that efforts of the government are yielding positive results and Pakistan will soon be able to overcome shortage of electricity. He said that while overseas Pakistanis are playing an important role in the strengthening of economy through sending foreign exchange to the country, Pakistani businessmen and investors should also come forward and take full benefit from investment opportunities available in various sectors in the country. All out facilities and protection to their capital will be ensured, he added.