To create better environment for foreign investors at all airports, the government has decided to deploy law enforcement agencies staff in plain clothes for dispelling the negative impression among the foreign investors pertaining to law and order situation in Pakistan.
Sources on Tuesday said that in a meeting of the Board of Investment (BOI) it had been decided to develop consensus to have security personnel in plain clothes at airports as large number of uniformed persons during international arrivals create a negative image.
Sources said that the BOI will arrange a conference for promoting investment in real estate (housing, hotels, etc) with particular focus on Middle East, Hong Kong and Singapore.
It also discussed 'Report of Task Force on Investment', which identified lack of implementation support by different government agencies as major irritant and suggested an enhanced and more effective role for the BoI.
It said that BoI should be strengthened and empowered to resolve investment related problems. Professionals and expertise from the private sector be inducted. BoI should be assigned specific responsibilities matching the resources. Steps should be taken so that irritants in the way of investment are removed and the cost of doing business is reduced. In particular, utilities and raw materials be made available at lower prices.
Model and modern industrial estates should be developed in all the provinces. Visa restrictions should be removed to facilitate the visit of foreign investors to Pakistan except those countries, which pose a terrorism threat, the meeting agreed.
It was decided that the government's investment incentives and policies, and success stories should be publicised in the media and conferences. It was observed that industrial infrastructure should be improved in each province.
The example of Sundan Industrial Estate in Punjab could be followed. It was also suggested that the sick and closed units should be revived.
Sources quoted Prime Minister as saying to the BOI that local investors are a catalyst for foreign investment and they should be encouraged and provided full support.
The focus should be on rapid industrialisation with the objective of creating maximum employment opportunities. The provinces should work hand in glove with the federal government to promote investment.
It was decided that the BOI and the Provincial Committees on Investment should meet regularly and implementation of their decisions be properly monitored. Visa restrictions /travel advisory issues hindering foreign investment may be addressed, sources added.