Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday invited Malaysian investors to invest in Pakistan, saying the country's growing economy, liberal economic policies and investment-friendly environment offer an ideal destination for foreign investment.
He said Pakistan would welcome Malaysian investment in the country especially in the areas of petroleum, agro industry, real estate, construction and tourism.
Shaukat Aziz was talking to Dato Tun Daim Zainuddin, former Finance Minister of Malaysia, who called on him at the Prime Minister house at the head of a delegation of investors.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was particularly keen to enhancing the level of bilateral co-operation in trade with particular reference to information technology and the services sector. Pakistan, he said provides a level playing field and makes no distinction between local and foreign investors.
He appreciated the steps taken by the Malaysian government for an early finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement, which the Prime Minister said, would provide the institutional framework to increase the bilateral trade between the two countries.
He said as a result of our deep and comprehensive reforms agenda based on liberalisation privatisation and deregulation, Pakistan's growth rate, which was 8.4 percent last year, is expected to range between 6-8 percent in the next five years.
Besides, Shaukat Aziz added, the average per capita income, which was $736 last year, is expected to cross $800 mark during this year. The Prime Minister also said that the government's economic policies were aimed at producing equitable growth for all segments of society.
Pakistan has close and brotherly ties with Malaysia and the relationship is rooted in faith, history, culture and a commonality of view on important international issues, he added.
Dato Zainuddin told the Prime Minster he was deeply impressed by Pakistan's economic turnaround and consistency and continuity of its economic polices.
He said he had no doubt that the growing co-operation between the governments and the private sectors of the two countries would be further expanded to the mutual benefit of Pakistan and Malaysia.
The former Malaysian minister inquired about the rehabilitation of earthquake victims, and said that the people of Malaysia share the grief of their Pakistani brethren.
He gave a personal donation of one million Malaysian dollars in President's Earthquake Relief Fund.
The Prime Minister thanked him for his sentiments and said Pakistan appreciates the Malaysian government's and his personal assistance for the rehabilitation of the quake victims.
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