Punjab: CM invites US traders to invest

[Naveed Yaseen]

A body of the American Business Forum led by its president Rizwanullah Khan met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Friday.

The body of executive members briefed the CM on economic and trade activities of the forum in Punjab as well as investment in various projects. Measures taken for promotion of foreign investment were also discussed.

Talking to members, the CM said the Punjab government was working on various projects for generation of energy from hydel power and coal for coping with energy crisis. He invited the American Business Forum to invest and cooperate in these projects. He said that complete transparency is being maintained in implementation of all projects of power generation. He said Punjab had massive coal reserves and power generation plants will be set up in DG Khan and Chakwal for generation of energy. He said that coal will be acquired from Balochistan for the plant in DG Khan and negotiations have been held with Balochistan government in this regard. He said the Punjab government had created conducive atmosphere for foreign investment and all-out encouragement was being extended for this purpose.

The CM said that complete protection will be given to foreign investors in Punjab. He said that an investment board consisting of professionals had been set up for the promotion of trade and industrial activities in the province. He said the American Business Forum was playing a commendable role with regard to bilateral relations, economic cooperation as well as development of the province. He said that the forum should also come forward to assist in the projects of power generation and benefit from investment opportunities. He said the forum should also give its proposals with regard to promotion of information technology and IT park.

Rizwan while said that Punjab was the hub of economic and trade activities and there were vast investment opportunities in the province. He said that Punjab was an ideal place for foreign investment and American Business Forum had keen interest in investing in various projects. He said that all out assistance will be offered in information technology, power generation and other sectors.

MNA Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Senior Political Assistant Pervez Malik, Punjab Investment Board Vice-Chairman Pir Saad Ahsanuddin, the commerce secretary and members of executive body of American Business Forum were present on the occasion.

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