Call to benefit from friendly trade policies
From Zeeshan Mirza

KARACHI—Terming the private sector as the real engine of growth and development, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has asked the business community to take full advantage of investment- friendly policies and enabling environment provided by the government and lead the trade and business activities in the country. He also called upon them to make efforts to project Karachi as the hub of commercial activities at the regional and international level.
The Prime Minister was talking to a delegation of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at the Governor House here Friday. Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan, and Chief Minister Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim, also attended the meeting.
“Wide ranging structural reforms, prudent economic measures initiated by the government during the last six years and consistency and continuity of economic policies have not only helped the country achieve macro-economic stability but also propelled Pakistan along high growth-trajectory”, said the Prime Minister. Shaukat Aziz said he is hopeful that despite the devastation caused by the earthquake and unprecedented increase in oil prices internationally, the economy is gaining strength and the country would be able to achieve its growth target.
The Prime Minister said the growth continues to be robust. Pakistan has 19 million cell phone users, teledensity is 17% and growth in mobile sector of Pakistan is the second highest in Asia. He said at present the government is focusing on bridging the skills gap and will provide short and long term training skills development programmes.
The Prime Minister said stable economy and a functioning democracy have transformed Pakistan’s image at the international level and the country’s standing and stature has enhanced significantly. The tremendous success of the Donors’ Conference is a vote of confidence for the stature of leadership in Pakistan and reflects the credibility enjoyed by the country in the eyes of international community. He asked the delegation to make efforts for projecting Karachi as a viable commercial centre and a place suited ideally for investment.
Shaukat Aziz commended KCCI’s efforts for relief and rehabilitation of the earth quake victims and asked them to participate enthusiastically in the sponsorship scheme launched by the government for the earth quake affected areas. Answering a question, he said the government being aware that industrial land is critical for development of industries, has finalised a policy to provide land on subsidised rates to the potential investors and entrepreneurs.
The Prime Minister said the government is focusing to make Karachi a business friendly city and it has been trying to provide all necessary facilities and remove hurdles in trade and business activities. “Karachi is the heart of country’s economy and we are determined to make it even more suitable for promotion of trade and investment.
The transparency and continuity of government policies have encouraged the domestic and foreign investors and investments in Pakistan are all time high”. The Prime Minister congratulated Sindh Governor, the Chief Minister and the entire administration of Sindh for arranging a cricket match in a peaceful and friendly atmosphere. He hoped that this atmosphere would continue to prevail in the days to come.