RIYADH: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday urged Saudi companies and entrepreneurs to benefit from Pakistan’s strategic location as well growth potential in diverse areas of economy including housing and construction for mutual benefit.
The Prime Minister was addressing the Saudi-Pak Investment Forum organized in cooperation with Saudi Ministry of Investment. The Investment Forum was attended by senior representatives of the leading Saudi companies and entrepreneurs.
Besides Saudi Investment Minister Engr. Khalid Al-Falih, the Forum was also addressed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tarin and Energy Minister Hammad Azhar.
On the occasion, the prime minister said that the most successful business people are those who look ahead and take risks. “The ones who go on the trodden path never really become outstanding in any field, let alone business,” he added.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic location, the premier said that Saudi businessmen could benefit from what the country has to offer. He mentioned the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project and the Central Business District project and called for investors to invest in them.
PM Imran also mentioned another project along the River Indus with 300,000 acres of fertile land. He said that water was available, but a canal was required to water the land. “All we need is energy to lift that water in a canal and this whole area becomes cultivable,” he added.
He said that Pakistan due to its strategic location having two biggest markets in the neighbourhood and connectivity with Central Asia through Afghanistan priveded a real opportunity to investors to take benefit.
“We have excellent relations with China, but if somehow we improve our relationship with India — I know after last night’s thrashing by the Pakistan team in the cricket match, it’s not a very good time to talk in this regard,” he added.
The premier said that the two countries had only one issue — Indian-occupied Kashmir, and urged for resolving it like “civilised” neighbours. “It’s all about human rights and the rights of the people of Kashmir for self-determination as guaranteed by the United Nations Security Council 72 years ago,” he pointed out.
“If that right is given to them, we have no other problems. The two countries can live as civilised neighbours just imagine the potential,” the premier added.
The premier highlighting the close and historic ties said that Pakistan-Saudi relations transcend all other relations due to people to people contacts. “Whichever government comes to power in Pakistan, it does not affect Pakistan-Saudi relations”, he added.
Concluding his speech, PM Imran said he wanted relations between the two countries to go to another level. “A level that will benefit both the countries,” he added.
