ISLAMABAB - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked Turkish companies to benefit from Pakistan’s progressive economic policies, which have already pulled many foreign investors.
The PM was talking to Turkish companies STFA and TAV delegations, which called on him here at Prime Minister’s House on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Mehmet Ali Neyzi, CEO STFA, Riza Arsan, vice chairman Pakistan Turkey Business Council, Bulent Ozuturk, investment coordinator TAV, Defence Minister Kh Muhammad Asif, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, and Tariq Fatimi and Captain (Retd) Shujaat Azim, special assistants to the PM.
The Prime Minister while talking to the delegation said that Pakistan’s economic policies had begun to show positive results and foreign investors were keen to harvest benefits of progressing economy. Many foreign investors have shown interest in investment in different sectors of economy, the PM added. The Prime Minister said, “Your keen interest and desire for investment in Pakistan is a strong manifestation of Pakistan-Turkish friendship.”
The CEOs of Turkish companies told that their companies had expertise in management and expansion of airports and expressed their interest in investment in this sector in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that his government was initiating a transparent process for the management of the airports and all the international companies would be invited to compete. He told that keeping in view the demands of the customers, they wanted to develop country’s airports on international standards.
The Prime Minister told that Pakistan provided friendly environment for the foreign investors and the Pakistan’s economy was full of opportunities in energy and infrastructure sectors. The PM also recalled his meeting with the CEOs of the companies in Istanbul and said that he had very fruitful discussions in Istanbul in February.
ECONOMIC STABILITY
VITAL FOR PEACE: PM
Terming the economic development top priority Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif has said that economic stability and implementation of Pakistan’s development agenda are vital for the country’s progress as well as regional peace and security.
Talking to Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke J Sugiyama who called on him here at Prime Minister’s House on Tuesday, Premier Sharif said, “Economic stability and implementation of Pakistan’s development agenda are essential for our success which in turn is vital for regional peace and security.”
Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Hiroshi Inomata and Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatimi were also present during the meeting.
The PM appreciated Japan’s assistance in a number of projects focusing on Pakistan’s socio-economic needs in various social, educational and health sectors. He said that Japan was a valuable friend and development partner and its investments, especially in energy sector and infrastructure development, would be most crucial.
The PM said, “We look forward to greater level of cooperation between the two countries, particularly, in the areas of trade, investment, development, security, energy, institution building and capacity building. Japanese technological assistance in gasification of Thar coal will be of immense benefit to overcome the energy deficiency in Pakistan.”
The PM expressed satisfaction over the fact that bilateral trade between the two countries was witnessing upward trajectory. “However, there is vast potential on both sides which I believe must be utilised for mutual benefit,” the PM added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Japan Tuesday agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields including energy, agriculture, infrastructure development and disaster management.
The two sides reviewed the whole gamut of bilateral relations and discussed prospects of enhancing cooperation in diverse areas of bilateral interest at the 8th round of bilateral political consultations between Pakistan and Japan here on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by Foreign Office, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry led Pakistan delegation while Shinsuke Sugiyama, deputy minister for foreign affairs, headed the Japanese side.
Special focus was placed on enhancing investments in energy sector and infrastructure development in Pakistan. The Japanese side expressed willingness to assist Pakistan in various agriculture projects and disaster management. The two delegations also exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest.
During the visit, Shinsuke Sugiyama called on the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation. He also called on Sartaj Aziz, adviser to prime minister on national security and foreign affairs, and Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to the prime minister on foreign affairs. The next round of bilateral political consultations would be held in Tokyo in 2015.