Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the medium and long-term outlook for investment in Pakistan is very attractive due to the reforms undertaken by the government as well as the transparent policies introduced during the last eight years.
The Prime Minister said this while talking to a group of investors including Waqar A. Malik Chief Executive, ICI and Hasib Rehman, CEO Ayesha Steel Mills, who called on him at the PM's House here on Sunday.
The Prime Minister said we have encouraged private sector investment to take advantage of the improved macro-economic situation in Pakistan as a result of which the level of investment has expanded rapidly in the country.
He said in terms of future potential Pakistan's demographic, with 100 million people below the age of 25 out of the total population of 160 million, offers attractive opportunities for growth and investment for private investors.
He highlighted the fact that Pakistan is increasingly becoming a base for skilled people and as such can be used as a regional manufacturing hub for local consumption as well as exports. This, he said, will enable investors to leverage Pakistan's human capital, its location and ease of doing business.
While talking to CEO, Ayesha Steel Mills, the Prime Minister welcomed the fact that it is a major joint venture between Pakistani and Japanese investors.
Shaukat Aziz said that steel is a commodity very much in demand and increased investment in manufacturing will augur well for future growth and development of the country.
He said the infrastructural investments being undertaken by the public and private sectors have increased demand for steel both for industrial as well as construction purposes. He said this will augur well for investments in the steel manufacturing business.
During his meeting with Chief Executive, ICI who have several plants in Pakistan, the Prime Minister welcomed the fact that they are expanding their activities in Pakistan and the various products that they produce including caustic soda, paints and chemicals have grown rapidly and they have taken advantage of the increasing size of the Pakistani market.
The investors appreciated the reforms of the government, the transparent policies and the consistency and continuity of policies which enabled them to invest increased amounts in Pakistan and benefit from the attractive opportunities in the country.