Investment in non-traditional sectors: 'SBI Investment Consultation Group' formed

Sindh Board of Investment (SBI) has formed 'SBI Investment Consultation Group' in order to create investment opportunities in non-traditional sectors. In this regard, the board has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 18 departments including leading financial institutions, insurance companies and government departments.
The signing ceremony was held at Livestock, Dairy, Fisheries and Poultry Expo 2011, which was organised by SBI at Expo Centre here on Monday. The 2-day exhibition was inaugurated by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. Speaking on the occasion, Shah said that Sindh had great potential for the growth of livestock, dairy farm, poultry and fisheries sectors.
He lauded the efforts of SBI and Livestock and Fisheries departments to organise the exhibition and showing the potentials of the province to the investors and arrange interaction between the farmers and visitors.
He said that Sindh produced food, vegetables and fruits, besides having best breeds of animals such as Kundhi buffaloes, Thari cow and Kamori goat which were famous for milk and meat. Furthermore, he said, the exhibition and seminar will not only provide a venue for attracting investment, but also enable local breeders to get technical support from foreign experts in livestock, dairy farming and fisheries.
He also expressed the hope that the seminar and exhibition would help increase production of livestock, poultry and fisheries and dairy products in the province. Minister for Livestock Mir. Abid Hussain Jatoi, Minister for Fisheries Zahid Ali Bhurgari, Advisor to CM on Investment, Secretary Investment Younus Dagha, prominent businessmen and diplomats were also present on the occasion.
He also visited the stalls and shown keen interest in the items and products on display and also handed over the document for the allotment of land to the Iran-Pak Wind Power Company in the presence of Iranian Consul General Ali Abdollahi. Advisor to CM on Investment Zubair Motiwala said the Sindh had vast potentials for the development of cattle and dairy farming, alternative energy, fisheries and mineral sectors.
He said the ownership of energy resources and gas fields had come to provinces after 18th Amendment and they would be able to determine tariff for projects below 50 megawatts. Motiwala said that 20 percent return on equity was ensured in alternative energy projects while 50 percent return was available in fisheries sector.
Younus Dagha said that special economic zones had been created for livestock and fisheries sectors. A French expert Alain Reocreux underlined the need for using modern techniques in livestock sector to enhance milk production as well as supply of meat. He said that milk production dropped due to infections in cows and buffaloes and called for using nanotechnology to reduce chances of infections.
Raja Tahir Lateef, CEO Pakistan Ostrich Company, said that this was among the high profit business and thriving in other parts of the world. He said the South Africa, China and Iran were the top the ostrich breeders in the world. He urged the government to provide support in boosting the breeding of Ostrich in Pakistan and said its meat, skin and hair get very high price in the international market. A large number of people belonging to every walk of life visited the exhibition.