Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said there was a vast scope to further expand the growing relations between Pakistan and Oman in a broad spectrum of areas particularly trade and investment.
He said this while talking to a delegation of Pakistan-Oman Investment Company led by its Chairman, Yahya Bin Said Bin Abdullah AI- Jabri at the Governor House here on Sunday.
The Prime Minister said Oman and Pakistan were tied in the bonds of shared values, history and faith. This relationship, he added, has further strengthened the diplomatic, cultural and economic relations between the two countries.
He said Pakistan offers the ideal conditions in all respects, to be a regional hub for manufacturing and trade. Its geo-strategic location, he added, is pivotal in promoting and facilitating trade linkages between Asian countries.
Shaukat Aziz stated that Pakistan on account of the success of a multi-faceted reform agenda, investment friendly policies, transparent procedures, good governance and high rates of return have emerged as an attractive investment destination.
Pakistan, he added, is building energy, transportation and trade corridors to leverage the true potential of regional trade, which will usher in an era of development and prosperity for the people of the region.
The Prime Minister said that high economic growth rate achieved by Pakistan during the last five years was a result of consistency and continuity of policies. Despite challenges the government is determined to develop the infrastructure as well as opportunities in future, he added.Shaukat Aziz while appreciating the performance of Pakistan-Oman Investment Company said it is a model and most successful company being run on professional lines. There are yet multiple choices available for the investors, he said, and expressed confidence that the private sector would be able to take advantage of the investment opportunities.
Talking about the development of Gwadar, the Prime Minister said that the government was investing heavily in the infrastructure development of the coastal city. Gwadar deep-sea port has started functioning, Coastal Highway linking Karachi to Gwadar was contributing towards the socio-economic uplift of residents in this area while construction work on new Gwadar Airport will soon be initiated, he added. Yahya Bin Said Bin Abdullah Al-Jabri said Oman desires to expand economic ties with Pakistan and is moving actively on joint collaborative projects.
He expressed satisfaction over the progress made by Pakistan- Oman Investment Company which has given impetus to economic cooperation between the two countries. Ever since its establishment, he mentioned, their venture has expanded three times to cater to the available opportunities.
He also told the Prime Minister that a large Pakistani community in Oman is contributing towards the development of the country. Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat- ul- Ebad Khan, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman, Consul General of Oman and senior officials attended the meeting.