Hafeez terms PTI conference successful

Minister for Privatisation and Investment Dr Hafeez Sheikh has termed the Pakistan Trade & Investment Conference (PTIC) a successful.
Talking to ARY TV, after attending the conference at London he said: "So for we have received positive response from the business community based in London."
The minister said the conference was held in London just to take benefit from the existing close political ties between Pakistan and Britain.
He said: "Britain is the second largest investor and fifth trading partner of Pakistan."
Hafeez Sheikh said the conference has also helped to highlight the positive image of the country.
He said the conference was held under the auspices of Board of Investment in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission, Britain Trade and Investment Forum, UK (BTIF) and Pakistan Business Advisory Group, Pakistan (PBAG).
The main focus of the conference was on the investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in view of the improved macro economic indicators and policies of the country, he added.
The minister said around 80 private sector business delegates from Pakistan have also participated in the event.
'BEST PLACE': To a question, he said, in the conference participants have been asked that Pakistan with its liberal policies for investors is the best place for investment.
"In Pakistan, more than 600 multi-nationals companies are operating and they are performing well over the last 10 year," he said, adding, "the rate of returns in the country is between 20-60 percent, which is quite phenomenal."
He admitted that there are some problems, such as weak infrastructure and law and order situation, like other developing countries.
Replying to a question, Abdul Hafeez said, the main aim behind the privatisation process was to provide basic facilities to the masses.
He said, "the privatisation process is continuing for the past 15 years, but now it has gained substantial momentum over the past four years."
Elaborating, he said during first 10 years the entities worth Rs 60 billion were privatised. Transactions worth Rs 36 billion were made during three years of President Musharraf's government, while deals worth Rs 42 billion have so far been finalised during one-and-a-half-year of the present government.