RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) organized a three day business conference on investment opportunities in Balochistan in collaboration with Balochistan Board if Investment and Trade (BBOIT) at a local hotel in Quetta.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal who was the chief guest of the conference in his address said that the top priority of the government is to provide a conducive environment for investors. The federal government is cooperating and taking steps to bring investments specially FDIs to the province. He said that if there is no investment then who will be taxed. Overseas investors always approach local businessmen and take feedback prior to investing in any sector. It is important to have a business friendly environment at the local level so that investors from abroad also come to Pakistan, he added.
While lauding RCCI’s efforts for holding a business conference in Balochistan to promote trade activities, CM Balochistan said that Pakistan is a country with a population of 220 million people which is itself a big market. Pakistan is a country rich in minerals. Steps are being taken to provide better infrastructure for markets at the borders and to provide facilities like customs and WeBOC there. The Rawalpindi Chamber should become our ambassador and join hands with us to promote trade activities in the province.
In his welcome address, RCCI President Nasir Mirza said that the aim of the conference was to promote emerging investment opportunities in Balochistan, promotion of trade activities and improve networking. RCCI believes that CPEC is a game changer for the entire region, especially for Pakistan, and it will pave the way for enhancing ties with Central Asian countries. The conference aims to strengthen ties and increase networking with local businesses and chambers of commerce in Balochistan, he added.
Group Leader Sohail Altaf said that for the promotion of investment and industry, it was necessary to make communication links better, faster and easier. The scope of the Prime Minister’s Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme should be extended to Gwadar. Direct flights to Gwadar can double the impact of FDIs in Balochistan, he suggested. A special desk will be set up in the Rawalpindi Chamber to highlight trade opportunities in Balochistan. Chairman Conference Qazi Khalid Farooq said that the conference would open new avenues of trade information and increase mutual contacts.
The conference was attended by ministers, secretary Industries, Chairman Board of Investment Saeed Ahmed Sarpara, former president of Rawalpindi Chamber Zahid Latif Khan, senior vice president Osman Ashraf, vice president Shahraiz Malik, members of the executive committee and members of the chamber and industrialists.
