Thai delegation led by Trade Minister Krirk Krai Jirapaet called on Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi at Chief Minister's Secretariat, here on Thursday. Matters regarding bilateral relations, trade co-operation and promotion of investment were discussed during the meeting.
Secretary Trade and Investment Saeed Ahmad Alvi and Secretary Livestock Babar Yaqub Fateh Muhammad were also present on the occasion. Talking to the delegation, the Chief Minister said that there were deep-rooted historical relations between Pakistan and Thailand and trade relations between the two counties were rapidly growing.
He said that measures would be taken for further promotion of trade between Thailand and Pakistan in livestock, food, fruit and vegetable, gem stone, tourism and other sectors. He said that due to excellent economic policies of the government and favourable investment climate, foreign investors were making huge investment in different projects in the province.
The Chief Minister said that setting up of a separate department of investment and trade in Punjab was helping in extending various facilities to investors in an organised manner besides all government departments were encouraging local and foreign entrepreneurs.
He said that provision of necessary infrastructure had expedited the pace of investment. Elahi said that a separate cell was operating at Chief Minister's Secretariat for the promotion of foreign investment and resolving problems of foreign investors through effective co-ordination between different departments.
He said that due to investment-friendly climate in Punjab, international companies by Makro and Metro were also making huge investment in the province.
The CM said that a number of mega projects were being executed in the province with foreign investment for the welfare and uplift of the masses. He said that new industries were being established in Punjab, which had resulted in increase in economic activities.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi further said that Punjab occupied an important place with regard to livestock and high breed of cows and buffaloes were found in this region which produce top quality milk. He said that government was promoting livestock sector on priority basis and a revolutionary action plan had been adopted for livestock breeding, marketing and protection of cattle from various diseases.
He said that livestock was an important source of strength of national economy and poverty alleviation, therefore, government was spending substantial resources on the promotion of this sector. He further said that balance of trade between Pakistan and Thailand would be further improved.
Pervaiz averred that promotion of mutual co-operation between Pakistan and Thailand in livestock, food processing and other sectors would open up new avenues of trade between the two countries. Thai Trade Minister Krirk Krai Jirapaet said that opportunities of trade co-operation between Thailand and Pakistan would be fully availed which would further improve mutual relations between the two countries.