|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment
while addressing the World Economic Forum at Amman has urged upon the Arab
Countries to create a permanent fund for regional integration and sustainable
development from the surpluses available due to oil revenues, and said that
Pakistan was well positioned to attract some of these funds due to its
conducive policies, says a message received here today from Jordan.
He pointed out that unemployment has emerged as a major problem for the
region, which could be overcome while ensuring economic reforms in the
regional countries. It was believed if we undertake steps to improve our
economies, the developed countries would also take part in the investment
activity, he said.
The Minister led Pakistani delegation in WEF inaugurated by King Abdullah of
Jordan, who said in his inaugural address that Creative thinkers throughout
our societies have the power to transform lives around the globe. It was up to
us to open minds and lives to the promise that our century offers, said King
Abdullah II Ibn Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Dr. Hafeez Shaikh
was the invited speaker in these sessions and Board Room discussions on,
'The Lure of the Middle East- Attracting FDI', 'Vision 2010: The Middle East
in the Global Economy', The Oil Liquidity Gift: Investing for the Future',
'Global Security & Middle East', focusing on creating highest-level
International platforms for world's business and government leaders to work
together with their counterparts in the Middle East.
He briefed the delegates regarding Pakistan's recent achievements on the
economic and political front and informed that under the leadership of
President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz the GDP ration in Pakistan
attained above 8 % while there was four time increase witnessed in the Foreign
Direct Investment through consistency and continuity of the economic policies.
There was a need for the regional countries to undertake economic and
political reforms simultaneously to leverage the opportunities in the
global market.
The moot was participated by over 1000 leaders from business, religion,
governments, academia and civil society to press forward with private sector
involvement to stimulate growth and employment in the Middle East.
The WEF is currently working with G-8 and the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) as well as with Arab business and
government leaders for developing number of projects, which also include
building a Middle East Scenario 2010 to focus on the social and economic
priorities facing the Arab World over the next five years and creating a
platform for improved understanding between Islam and the West through a
Council of 100 eminent persons chaired by Lord Carey of Clifton, former
Archbishop of Canterbury and HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud.
Dr. Shaikh also held separate meetings with the top businessmen of the region
to apprise them about the privatisation and investment opportunities in
Pakistan in the IT, Telecom, Petroleum & Natural Resources, Housing
development, Commercial Transport and other feasible projects. The bilateral
meetings included Qatar's Minister for Economy, UAE's Minister for Economy,
Jordan's Minister for Industries & Trade, Jordan's Finance Minister,
Chairman Privatisation Commission Jordan Dr. Adil Al- Kodah, Chairman SECP and
others. In his meeting with Mr. Frederic Sicre Managing Director WEF, Dr.
Hafeez Shaikh suggested to hold WEF 2006 in Pakistan.