Misperceptions about Nation misleading for investors: Fahim
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—The investment environment in Pakistan is conducive for foreign investors and the investors enjoy confidence for investing in various sectors. These views were expressed by Senior Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim in a meeting with Corporate Clients of Asia House here, today.
The corporate clients mainly businessmen expressed the concern over the fact that the picture of Pakistan being projected by international media is not realistic and in fact Pakistan offers a good investment and trade environment for investment and in terms of security it was much better than many countries. The current perceptions about Pakistan need to be corrected to tap the actual investment and trade potential of the country.
The Commerce Minister briefed the businessmen and representatives of business organization about ever growing investment and trade opportunities in Pakistan, evident from the fact that the volume of foreign direct investments has increased to over $ 8.4 billion in 2006-2007 as compared to average of 400 million in the 1990s, Makhdoom Amin Fahim further pointed out that with growth rate of 5.8% during 2007-2008, Pakistan remains one of the fastest growing economy in the world and has seen growth rate of up to 7.5% during past few years. The Minister further highlighted the immense potential of energy sector in terms of demand and supplies thus a huge opportunity of investments.
Responding to questions from the participants Makhdoom Amin Fahim informed them that confidence of foreign investors in Pakistan was evident from the fact that a high level delegation of some leading business enterprises of Britain is scheduled to visit Pakistan shortly. The meeting was chaired by Chief Executive Officer of Asia House Ms. Charolette Pinder. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK, Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan and officers of Commerce and Trade Wing also attended the meeting.