No cut in FDI, focus shifted to manufacturing side: BoI Chairman
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—Dispelling the misconceptions about the law and order situation in the country, Minister of State and Chairman Board of Investment (BoI), Saleem Mandviwalla said that there was no cut in foreign investment inflows into the country.
"Foreign investment is not leaving Pakistan and it continues to inflow in the country, however, it is natural that sometimes the inflows go up and come down the other times," he said while addressing a press conference here at Press Information Department (PID) Media Center on Tuesday.
He was flanked by Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Vincenzo Prati. Describing Pakistan as a safe heaven for investors he said that foreign investors earn more profits in the country as compared to other countries.
He said that Pakistan's policies were investment friendly, providing vast opportunities to investors in various sectors.
Terming his recent visit to Italy as very fruitful, he said that his interaction with different investors were very much encouraging as the Italian investors were keen to invest in various sector of Pakistan economy.
"A number of Italian investors are already investing in the country while more want to come and invest in various sectors," he remarked.
He said that much-hyped misconception about the law and order situation was no concern for the Italian investors as they think Pakistan a best place for investment. He said that although the investment policy was equal for all investors, however, government would provide best possible facilities to the Italian investors.
He said that the incumbent government wants to encourage investments in the manufacturing sector which he said had been neglected for a long time.
"The previous government has focussed investment on services sector,however, we want to encourage investment in manufacturing sector as well to help boost sustainable economy of the country." To a question, he said the investment opportunities in Pakistan wereequally open for investors from all over the world, however added that the investment conference in Saudi Arabia was aimed at attracting investors from European Union, China and Middle East.
Speaking on the occasion, Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Vincenzo Prati said, "Pakistan is a big country with big future," saying that Italian investors were eager to invest in various sectors of Pakistan economy.