HUNGARY KEEN TO BENEFIT FROM PRIVATISATION PROGRAM OF PAKISTAN – EU SUMMIT TO PAVE WAY FOR LIBERALIZING TRADE

Islamabad, June 18, 2009

The Hungarian investors are keen to benefit from the ongoing Privatisation Program of Pakistan and to exchange experience with the Pakistani entrepreneurs. Mr. Istvan Darvasi Envoy of the Republic of Hungary to Pakistan expressed these views during a meeting with Syed Naveed Qamar Federal Minister for Privatisation here today.

Syed Naveed Qamar Federal Minister for Privatisation lauded the interest conveyed by Hungarian envoy and said that it would further strengthen the ties between the two countries. Pakistan has the potential to provide hub for the regional economies, which would benefit all stakeholders, he said.

Referring to the recent European Union (EU) Summit, the Minister said that Pakistan’s stance for “Trade not Aid” reflects our targeted goal for achieving stronger economy for a long-term stability.

Giving an over view of Pakistan’s Privatisation Policy and Program, Syed Naveed Qamar stated that with the commencement of Public Private Partnership mode to privatise public sector entities the government was determined to bring in private sector efficiencies and fresh investments, to increase dividend on government’s shareholdings and to enhance the value of the national assets.

The Minister informed that the countrywide network of Post Offices and Utility Stores would be made further effective through PPP mode. The government was also considering going ahead with power distribution and generation sectors and was reviewing to improve the services of Pakistan Railways. Under the new privatisation policy the workers were being empowered by allocating 12. 5 % shares of all the Public sector entities to ensure their representation on the Board of Directors and to transmit the profit of the respective entities to the workers, he added.

The envoy hoped that the deliberations of the EU Summit would pave the way for liberalizing the trade and economy and to further strengthen economic bonds between Pakistan and EU economies.