IFC DELEGATION CALLS ON HAFEEZ SHAIKH

Islamabad, April 1, 2005

A three-member delegation from International Finance Corporation led by Mr. Micheal G. Essex, Director Middle East and North Africa region called on Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment here today.

The IFC team expressed confidence with the continuing improvement in the fundamentals of Pakistan's economy and hoped that with the continuity and consistency of the government's policies and the conducive, investors friendly atmosphere together with the incentives, the in flow of investment would further increase in the various sectors of Pakistan's economy.

The IFC team showed a very keen interest in pursuing further investments in  Pakistan in a number of sectors. Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh while appreciating IFC's interest informed the delegation that Pakistan was providing level playing field to local and foreign investors to equally avail investment opportunities in all areas of economy including the privatisation activity, which has also restored the investors confidence in the government's  economic policies. The matters of mutual interest were also discussed during  the meeting.