FOREIGN INVESTMENT TO CROSS US $ 3.5 BILLION BY END JUNE –Says Zahid Hamid
Mitsubishi’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project costing Rs.1.8 billion to complete by January 2007-CEO Mitsubishi

Islamabad, June 19, 2006

Pakistan is open for investment in all sectors without any discrimination or restrictions on bringing in or taking out capital. Mr. Zahid Hamid Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment stated this during a meeting with the visiting delegation of Mitsubishi Corporation Japan led by Mr. Hajime Katsumura Group CEO here today.

The Minister said that the government was ready to facilitate investors to promote both foreign and domestic investment activity in the country. Investors were free to form joint ventures or establish their own businesses with 100 % equity. More than 600 multinational companies were successfully operating and making profits in Pakistan, which has become an attractive location for investors due to the liberal investment climate, government’s business friendly policies, Foreign Investment had increased tenfold during the last five years and was expected to cross US $ 3.5 billion by June 2006.

Mr. Zahid Hamid appreciated Mitsubishi’s efforts to introduce new technology in the privatised entities for increasing their efficiency and production and assured that the government would fully support all such arrangements, which bring in modern technology in various sectors.

Mr. Hajime Katsumura Group CEO the leader of the delegation of Mitsubishi Corporation Japan informed the Minister that they have entered into an agreement with Fatima Group, buyers of the privatised Pakarab Fertilizers (Pvt) Limited to develop Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project at the cost of Rs.1.8 billion, first of its kind and new in the whole world. After implementation of CDM project, which was scheduled to be commissioned by early 2007, would benefit environmentally, socially and economically, he added.

He observed that Pakistan was a good market and partner, which was evident form Mitsubishi’s operation in Pakistan since 1990. Besides ongoing four joint ventures the company was working on seven more joint ventures, he added.

The 14-member delegation remained with the Minister for some time and discussed the matters pertaining to the upcoming investment opportunities and Pakistan’s incentives for the investors.