ISLAMABAD: Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh assured the Saudi delegation that the BOI would extend full facilitation and support, including arranging meetings with the wider business community and organizing visits to Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
He was talking to a delegation from Kyan, Saudi Arabia, which visited Pakistan to participate in the “Indus AI Week” organized by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT).
Welcoming the delegation, the minister highlighted the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and emphasized the importance of further strengthening economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The Kyan delegation expressed keen interest in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in the sectors of energy, mining, information technology, agriculture, and livestock.
The delegation shared proposals for various potential projects with an estimated minimum investment of USD 200 million for each project and also conveyed their interest in bringing additional Saudi investors to Pakistan.
Qaiser Sheikh said that he fully understands investors’ perspectives and requirements. He emphasized that Pakistan offers immense opportunities for joint ventures and strategic partnerships. With a population of over 250 million, Pakistan represents a large and dynamic market.
He also underscored Pakistan’s strategic geographic location, which provides access to landlocked Central Asian states, making it an attractive hub for regional trade and investment.
Highlighting the role of the Board of Investment, the minister said that BOI is proactively facilitating investors through policy support and institutional coordination.
He particularly highlighted the Business Facilitation Center (BFC), which provides a single-window facilitation mechanism to investors, ensuring streamlined approvals, reduced processing time, and effective resolution of operational issues.
The minister further assured the delegation that the Board of Investment would extend full facilitation and support, including arranging meetings with the wider business community and organizing visits to Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
He briefed the delegation on the incentives available in SEZs, including exemptions on income tax and import duties, as well as facilities available in Special Technology Zones (STZs).
He further informed the delegation that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government is undertaking rigorous regulatory reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and enhancing investor confidence.
The minister also referred to the recent visit of the Saudi Investment Minister to Pakistan and reiterated that both countries can work closely to unlock new avenues of bilateral investment and economic cooperation.
The Board of Investment remains fully committed to facilitating investors and promoting sustainable economic growth under the leadership of the Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh.
