Diplomacy to boost investment in Pakistan: Javed Malik

DUBAI: Ambassador Javed Malik, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy has said that it is part of the cultural and economic diplomacy initiatives to highlight the positive aspects of our culture, build goodwill about Pakistan, facilitate the expansion of our trade and encourage investment into the country, says a press release.

He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, they were working towards projecting Pakistan’s potential at an international platform.He expressed the confidence that these efforts were generating positive results as Pakistan was being led by an honest and transparent government that believed in good governance.

Ambassador Javed Malik was the chief guest and patron-in-chief of Asian Lifestyle Pakistan Fashion Week, Dubai, which was held to showcase Pakistani textile and fashion designs in an effort to boost the textile exports globally.

The fashion extravaganza, featuring 10 designers, was organised and presented by Asian Lifestyle CEO Mian Shahid Iftikhar over a three-day period during which an exhibition of Pakistani fabrics and jewellery was also included.

Ambassador Javed Malik was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Al Sharqi and other distinguished members of the society as he spoke about the initiative and said “It is for the first time that Pakistan Fashion Week is being organised in Dubai and this creates a wonderful opportunity not only to highlight the richness of our culture and promote a positive image of Pakistan, but also to encourage our talented designers to showcase their talent internationally, in addition to paving the way for expanding Pakistan’s textile and fabric exports to the UAE, the gulf region and the world at large.”

He also spoke about the huge popularity of Pakistani textile fabrics in the gulf region and pointed out that millions of Pakistanis reside, work and do business in the Gulf region in addition to millions of others from the sub-continent.

He said, “There is a huge market demand for Pakistani textiles, fabrics and ready-made dresses” and called upon Pakistani fashion houses, textile groups and designers, exporters to explore these markets with renewed vigour by increasing their footprint in this marketplace.

He further added, “We’ll continue to explore opportunities for talented individuals from Pakistan to get international exposure and in this context, we are working closely with various individuals and organisations in Pakistan including AHAN (Aik Hunar Aik Nagar) to encourage and support their talent and open doors for them to exhibit it.”Ambassador Javed Malik appreciated Shahid Mian and his team for their efforts in organising the fashion week in Dubai.

Govt to enhance oil, gas exploration activities through investment friendly policies: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday the government was making all out efforts to enhance oil and gas exploration activities in the country through investment friendly policies.

He said the government believed in providing level playing field to all foreign investors and oil and gas companies, and assured protection of their investments.

The Prime Minister was talking to Alexander Dodde, Executive Vice President, MOL, who called on him here. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was also present.

He said Pakistan had a vast onshore and offshore sedimentary area, out of which only around 35 per cent was under exploration.

He also appreciated professionalism and expertise of MOL and the important role it had been playing in this region for the last 15 years in the development of petroleum and gas sector of Pakistan.

The MOL management in Pakistan deserved applauds for their role in smooth operations of the company, the Prime Minister said, adding that it needed to explore more investment opportunities in oil and gas sector.

He encouraged MOL to acquire new blocks independently or jointly with Pakistan's state owned companies i.e. Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (GDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) through competitive bidding process or joint ventures.

Alexander expressed confidence in the government's economic policies and appreciated its efforts to boost energy sector.

Ishaq Dar stresses Pakistani Mission abroad to bring foreign investment

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Monday emphasized upon the Pakistani Missions abroad to draw attention of the investors to Pakistan where huge potential is available for foreign investment.

This he said while speaking with Pakistan's Ambassador designate to Qatar, Shehzad Ahmad who called on him here.

The Finance Minister said that there is huge potential of foreign investment in Pakistan particularly in economy, energy and infrastructure sectors.

"We have introduced a very robust economic revival programme which includes public private partnership on the basis of Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model", he added.

The Minister said that the new initiatives will be instrumental for economic rebuilding. Important initiatives include deregulation, undertaking structural reforms to improve management of public finances and making Pakistan an attractive investment destination.

He said that Qatar has expertise in energy sector and the Ambassador should encourage the potential investors from Qatar on opportunities available in the Country.

The Ambassador designate briefed the Minister on his plans to represent Pakistan effectively in Qatar. The Ambassador assured the Finance Minister that he will work hard to enhance existing cooperation between the two countries.

He also thanked the Finance Minister for his Ministry's commitment and support to provide assistance in attracting foreign investment in the Country.