FDI increases over 100pc in first five months of PTI govt, PM told

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the investors will be fully encouraged to make investments in the country.

Chairing a high-level meeting on investment in Islamabad on Thursday, he noted that foreign investment, especially the transfer of technology, was important to stabilise the country’s economy.

Finance Minister Asad Umar, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistants to the PM Naeemul Haq and Iftikhar Durrani, Board of Investment Chairman Haroon Sharif, Foreign Affairs Secretary Tehmina Janjua and other senior ranking officials were present on the occasion.

The meeting was informed about the State Bank of Pakistan’s statistics according to which foreign direct investment (FDI) of over $1 billion was made in the country in the first five months of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, as compared to $426 million made in the corresponding period of the previous government.

The meeting noted that this double increase in foreign investment reflected the confidence and trust of foreign investors and countries on the policies of the incumbent government.

The prime minister on the occasion was briefed on the investments made so far by the friendly countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Malaysia, and about the expected investments from these countries.

PM Imran was also briefed about the steps taken for promotion of investment in the country by the Board of Investment. The meeting was informed that the board of industrial cooperation unit has been established.

Special units have been established to facilitate investment in different sectors, including housing and tourism sectors, and to help overseas Pakistanis invest in the country.

A proposal was also discussed to entrust the responsibility of investment-related matters in all the ministries to a deputy secretary level officer.

Meanwhile, a delegation of American Business Council called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Thursday.

The delegation expressed confidence in the policies of the government, terming its steps towards ‘ease of travel’ and ‘ease of doing business’ as exemplary.