Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan provides a hospitable environment for business community and said the government is fully committed to provide best opportunities for international investors. The Prime Minister expressed these views in a meeting with Chairman Standard Chartered Bank, Sir John Peace, who called on him at the Prime Minister''s House here.
The Prime Minister reiterated the resolve of his government to provide and promote excellent investor-friendly policies and measures by opening up and deregulating the economy. He said the recent hike in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country is an indication that the international investors have started showing their trust and confidence in the economic policies being pursued by the government.
The Chairman Standard Chartered Bank appreciated the excellent business environment Pakistan offers and expressed his desire to expand their business in Pakistan by exploring new avenues for investment and by opening up of new branches of the bank. He expressed his willingness to work hand in hand with the government of Pakistan in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Sector Loan Schemes with the objective of alleviating poverty by generating employment opportunities for the young workforce available in the country. The chairman also expressed his desire to work in the spheres of knowledge transfer and financing aiming at skill-development and employment generation opportunities for the expanding youth of the country.
The Prime Minister said majority of Pakistan''s population falls in the age bracket of 20 to 35 and those need to be provided with respectable job opportunities by developing their skills in order to harness their huge potential. The meeting was also attended by Chairman Board of Investment Muhammad Zubair.