Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar has invited France to invest in clean energy production and tourism sector of the country. He made this offer while talking to Ambassador of France Marc Barety who along with Country Director AFD Jacky Amprou called on him here on Thursday. Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan was also present in the meeting.
He said that Pakistan offers attractive investment incentives and France should invest in clean energy production and tourism sector as the country enjoys huge potential in this regard. He said that France is an important development partner of Pakistan and appreciated the role of French Development Agency (AFD) for launching various development initiatives in the country (Pakistan).
The minister said that Pakistan offers attractive investment incentives and France may consider exploring more avenues for investment to the mutual benefit of two countries. France has expertise in solar energy production and may look to finance projects in this sector in view of huge potential that the country offers, he added.
The minister called for bilateral cooperation to give a boost to tourism sector in Pakistan as well as up-gradation of transmission system in view of increased electricity generation in the country. Zafar Hasan said that the present government is committed to promoting clean energy production, adding that France may consider funding projects in this regard.
The ambassador of France said that his country is financing projects in different areas including hydropower, urban management and restoration of heritage sites.
Appreciating the cooperation of the Ministry of Planning, he said that the AFD is also willing to expand the scope of its activities in future. The minister assured his ministry's cooperation in completion of ongoing projects funded by the AFD.