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PM Nawaz invites foreign investors to harness Pakistan's rich potential
BANKOK: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that his government is committed to accelerated digitization of the country to enable socioeconomic development‚ to create a knowledge-based economy and promoting economic growth.
In his key-note address at the Connect Asia Pacific Summit 2013‚ which began in Bangkok on Monday morning‚ he said the Pakistani government accords the highest priority to development of information communication technology for the provision of quality services‚ education‚ employment‚ generation and women empowerment.
The Prime Minister said the government encourages investment in the next generation of mobile services‚ establishment of technology parks and local manufacturing of ICT equipment.
He said we invite foreign companies to be our partners in harnessing the rich potential of our country that is open for business and keen on working with international investors.
Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan Telecom infrastructure now comprises over 125 million mobile connections‚ about three million fixed lines‚ three million WLL subscribers‚ 19.8 million Internet users‚ 15.7 million mobile Internet users and 2.8 million broadband subscribers.
He said the government through Universal Service Fund Company‚ national ICT R&D Fund Company and Virtual University has initiated a range of successful programs to promote ICT opportunities to achieve these goals. He said some of these programs are models and are being replicated by other countries.
The Prime Minister said that with population of 180 million‚ Pakistan is strategically located on the crossroads of south and central Asia and energy-rich Middle East.
Providing a unique platform for investors‚ eyeing opportunities in the country and the region at large Pakistan offers 100 percent equity ownership‚ full repatriation of capital and exports until 2016.
Earlier‚ addressing the summit‚ the Prime Minister of Thailand‚ Yingluck Shinawatra said the summit is being held to achieve a common goal to develop better and wider links between nations and peoples.
She said the ICT has progressed by expanding to cover other utilities‚ appliances in household and databases around the world and we need to ensure that people of all nations have greater access to it.
UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon said the Asia-Pacific is vast and diverse region‚ which has numerous centers of innovation in manufacturing and Information and Communication Technologies.
He said many nations in the region have experienced rapid economic growth yet there is a stark contrast in prosperity and development between high-income countries and the least developed.
Meanwhile‚ Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will also hold talks with his Thai counterpart‚ Yingluck Shinawatra. Besides one-on-one meeting‚ the two leaders will also hold delegation level talks.
The Prime Minister will also attend a Luncheon Meeting with prominent Thai and Pakistani businessmen.
First Lady Bagum Kulsoom Nawaz‚ Minister for Information Technology Anusha Rehman‚ Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani are accompanying the Prime Minister.
Courtesy www.geo.tv
