ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) government are all set to organise an international investment conference on GB.
This was announced by FPCCI Chairman, Qurban Ali, who had called on GB Chief Minister (CM) Muhammad Khalid Khurshid at his office here on Wednesday.
They discussed a wide range of issues, including the development of industry and trade, investment, and strengthening ties between the business community and the GB government.
On this occasion, it was also agreed to work together for the development of Gilgit-Baltistan, promotion of investment and elimination of unemployment.
During the meeting, the CM said that Gilgit Baltistan was rich in natural beauty, natural resources and also the gateway of the grand CPEC project.
He said there were vast investment opportunities in various sectors including agriculture, as the region was a tax free with business opportunities worth billions of rupees.
The CM said domestic and foreign investors should take full advantage of these opportunities and added that the success of the tourism sector lay in improving it through investment, which was not possible without the cooperation of the private sector. “To facilitate the private sector, he said the government was creating an environment in which investors would invest and ensure a fair and secure return.
He said that keeping in view the geographical conditions of the region, the government would encourage small and medium scale investors.
The CM said that the government was taking all possible steps to provide all kinds of relief to traders and industrialists.
Muhammad Khalid invited the entire team of FPCCI to visit GB to promote investment and end unemployment while surveying various sectors.
The FPCCI chairman said that he is in touch with domestic and foreign investors to promote investment in GB. “We have also apprised many foreign ambassadors, investors, government and chamber officials about the importance of Gilgit Baltistan and encouraged them to invest there,which will soon show positive results,” he added.
He stressed the need to ensure the safety of tourist destinations as well as provide better roads and transport facilities for access to them for the promotion of tourism in the region.
Qurban further added that the establishment of international airports in the tourist areas and the launch of direct flights from foreign countries would be a great boost for tourism in the region.
