Prime Minister appreciates investment of Telenor in Pakistan
OSLO, (Norway) : Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday appreciating
Telenor's investment of over one billion dollars in Pakistan in
telecommunication sector said it is manifestation of the commitment of
the investors in Pakistan's liberal economic policies.
Talking to Telenor's group President and CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas here in
Oslo, the Prime Minister Aziz said the Telenor's contribution to
Pakistan's economy and its positive role in the society is exemplary.
President General Pervez Musharraf in his recent visit to Norway visited
Telenor's headquarters at Fornebu in Oslo and expressed the similar
views on the company's contribution. The Prime Minister Aziz during the
meeting, which continued for one hour, said that Telenor has a major
role to play in further development of the telecom sector in Pakistan.
Shaukat Aziz said the telecom sector had seen tremendous growth because
the government had followed the clearly thought-out reform agenda,
allowing the private sector to come in and play its due part.
The Prime Minister said the telecom sector has attracted huge
investments and has exhibited to the international investment community
the immense potential that the Pakistani market has.
Shaukat Aziz also expressed his gratitude to Telenor for spreading and
enhancing its investment from Norway to Pakistan and for drawing the
attention of significant European investors to the huge investment
potential of the country.
The Prime Minister said the Telenor is well-placed in Pakistan. He said
tele-density has been increasing in Pakistan and expressed the hope that
the Telenor will further increase its activities. The President and CEO
of the Telenor Baksaas briefed the Prime Minister about Telenor
Pakistan's achievements during its one and half year operation.
He also thanked the Prime Minister and government of Pakistan for
extending support in creating an investment friendly climate in the
country. He said Telenor's continued and significant investment in
Pakistan clearly demonstrated the confidence the management has in the
policies of the Government of Pakistan and the deep-rooted values of the
people of Pakistan.
About Telenor's vision for Pakistan, he said, "We believe that
international investment is vital to the strong economic development of
Pakistan." The Telenor ranks one of he biggest GSM service providers in
the world with over 96 million subscribers and besides its operation in
Pakistan, it was also working in Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
He said as long term international investor, Telenor would continue to
play its due role in Pakistan's development. Later, the Prime Minister
will attend a business round table conference with some of the key
representatives of the Norwegian industry including Telenor, Yara
International, NHO, Wllhelmsen Maritime Services, Det Norske Veritas,
Hydro ASA, NorFund, Capio Diagnostics, Ragasco Cylinders, CW42 Holding
ASA, Conax AS and Nokia. |
