The prime minister Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan delegation at the World Economic Forum appeared to be unaware that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had classified Pakistan in MENAAP region (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan) instead of South Asia since 2013. "The World Economic Forum in terms of its annual competitiveness and others reports has been classifying Pakistan as part of MENAAP region since 2013," sources maintained.
Sources maintained that this classification is also important in terms of understanding the global development agenda, where Pakistan is seen as part of West Asia. This reflects increased Indian influence in South Asia with international institutions. The non-realization of this fact is not only alarming but also significant for the regional integration as well, sources said.
Former Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) Saleem Mandviwalla told Business Recorder that the forum is nothing "but a public relations exercise" and does not have an impact on foreign investment in Pakistan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif left the WEF after three days. On Friday, he invited international investors to Pakistan's energy, telecom, infrastructure, urban development, agro-industry and textiles sectors that offer exciting opportunities for investment.
"I invite you to be our partners in realising our vision for Pakistan. Our vision is of a Pakistan which is business friendly; a Pakistan where foreign investors feel safe and secure; and a Pakistan which is modern, progressive and forward-looking," he told a group of investors here at a breakfast meeting, hosted by Ikram Sehgal, Chairman of the Pathfinder Group on "Pakistan - A land of Business Opportunities."
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Miftah Ismail attended the WEF. The delegation did not include Ahsan Iqbal, the Minister for Planning, Reforms and Development, who has a pivotal role in regional integration and preparing Pakistan for the "fourth Industrial Revolution".
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