ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Friday urged
international investors to grab huge potential and opportunities in
Pakistan's energy and infrastructure sectors.
He
was talking to Philip Barton, British High Commissioner to Pakistan
accompanied by Richard Montgomery, Head of UK Department for
International Development, Pakistan who called on the Minister here at
the Finance Ministry.
The Minister informed the
delegation that Pakistan's economy is performing much better as all the
economic indicators are on the positive side.
The GDP is growing up and the rate of inflation is going down.
Dar
said that during the last seven months of the current fiscal year there
has been 17% growth in taxes collection whereas it was less than 3%
last year.
"We are confident to meet our targets for the current fiscal year", he remarked.
He
added that "we will be sticking to disciplinary mechanism on
expenditure side and enhance our allocation for developmental activities
and disbursements to poor people through social safety networks".
He
emphasized that there is a great potential for trade expansion with the
United Kingdom in the light of Prime Minister's vision for consistency
in economic policies and creating an atmosphere where foreign investors
can invest in energy, hydrocarbons and infrastructure projects.
The
Minister also briefed the High Commissioner about his recent visit to
Afghanistan and development projects including Torkham-Jalalabad Highway
and Kidney Hospital, undertaken by Pakistan.
He said that these are the signature projects between Pakistan and Afghanistan which are close to our hearts.
He said that the visit went very well in general public of that brotherly country.
The
Minister concluded that the best way the United Kingdom can help is to
encourage the international investors to grab the huge potential and
opportunities available in Pakistan in energy and infrastructure
sectors.
The High Commissioner said that making Pakistan more prosperous is key to our relationship.
He said that we are very keen to work with Pakistan on enhancing our commercial and economic relations.
He
said that the Pakistani Diaspora in United Kingdom is of a great value
for us who consider Pakistan as their second home. He said that we are
impressed with the transparency and merit oriented policies, the
government is pursuing.
He added that in a democracy, fundamental policy of the government is to collect taxes and allocate resources for development.
He
also appreciated Minister's visit to Jallalabad, despite security
issues on the day when a terrorist act happened in Kunar province.
He expressed his Government's resolve to work with Pakistan in bringing peace and prosperity to the region.
Moreover,
the High Commissioner added, that we are of firm belief that CASA-1000
and energy corridor between Pakistan- Afghanistan and Central Asian
Republic States will promote regional trade and the United Kingdom is
willing to help in these projects.
He also
assured the Finance Minister that United Kingdom is looking forward to
help Pakistan in meeting their economic problems and to bring in foreign
investment.
Mr.
Montgomery said that UK AID is working with the State Bank of Pakistan,
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and other public and private banking
sector for providing agricultural financing including micro-enterprise
loans and savings services to the rural low income clients in Pakistan.
He said that the initiative will help spur innovative practices to increase financial services in the agriculture sector.
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