PRIME MINISTER MIR ZAFARULLAH JAMALI TO INAUGURATE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN BALOCHISTAN

Islamabad, April 29, 2004

The first ever International Conference on Investment Opportunities in Balochistan being organized under the auspices of Ministry of Privatisation and Board of Investment, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Balochistan, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali at Quetta on May 8, 2004 (Saturday).

More than 250 local and foreign delegates and the top business representatives from China, Singapore, Malaysia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Oman, United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Germany will participate in the various working sessions of the Conference.

The Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh will deliver his keynote address in the inaugural session while Chief Minister of Balochistan Province Jam Mohammad Yousuf will give welcome address. Mr. Juergen Koenig, MD, Merck Market (Pvt) Ltd Pakistan a German company will share the success story of his company. Mr. Waseem Haqqie, Chairman BOI will deliver vote of thanks.

The conference aims to drive home, the investors who should see for themselves that Balochistan is a safe haven for investors. More than ten(10) companies in oil and gas are already working in the province of Balochistan. The Quetta Conference will offer investment opportunities to potential investors both domestic and foreign in Industrial Zones of Balochistan, SME Sector – Opportunities and Incentives, Logistics and Mass Transit: Seaport, Shipping, Railway, Coastal and Land Development, Fuel and Energy, Mines and  Mineral, Agro-based Products, Livestock, Fish Farming The coastline of Balochistan extends over 750 kms from Hub near Karachi, to the Gawadar Bay on Pakistan-Iran border. The whole area is rich with a variety of marine life and has long sunny beaches. Coastal towns of Pasni, Jiwani and Gawadar are linked by air with Karachi. Gawadar would be third sea port in Pakistan. It will provide to help the landlocked Central Asian Economies, including those of Russia and China.