Provincial Minister for Finance Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said that GDP of Punjab is higher than many countries of the region and there is an exemplary infrastructure for investment in the province while raw material is available for a number of industries. She said that Punjab has special importance for business due to its network of roads, efficient railway system, pro-growth economic policies, trained manpower, good governance and transparency.
She was addressing inaugural ceremony of Pak-Italy Trade Forum arranged by Punjab Board of Investment & Trade, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industries with the cooperation of Italy. The Minister said that the purpose of the forum is to apprise Italian delegation of business opportunities in Punjab and to promote business contacts between Italy and Pakistan. She said that Punjab government is providing a safe environment to foreign investors due to which the confidence of international business community is improving. The Minister said that 200 multinational companies and 37 investors of Italy are interacting with Pakistani businessmen, which is a proof of mutual confidence. She said that there is a vast scope of investment in health, energy, agriculture, industries and mining sectors in Punjab. She said that government is taking keen interest in promotion of investment and public-private partnership is being promoted. She said that government is extending special incentives to partner countries for investment in these sectors. President Lahore Chamber of Commerce Abdul Basit said that Pakistani economy is fast developing due to CPEC and Punjab is providing maximum opportunities for investment. Six memorandums of understanding in trade and investment sectors were signed between Pakistan and Italy on this occasion. Provincial Minister for Industries Sheikh Allauddin, Deputy Minister of Italy for Economic Development Ivan Scalfarotto, Italian Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo and President Trade Agency of Italy Michele Scannavini besides a large number of Italian and Pakistani businessmen were present on the occasion. a