Government of Pakistan is providing attractive incentives to foreign investors by making business & investment friendly policies and to take advantage of these incentives, Russian businessmen should explore business opportunities in Pakistan with particular focus on energy and oil & gas sectors.

This was said by Mian Shaukat Masud, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) while exchanging views with a delegation of Russian businessmen who called on him at ICCI led by Mr. Arcadic Grosu.

He said energy sector offers plenty of scope for investment as Pakistan is facing energy shortage and they should look for setting up coal-based power plants in Pakistan as Pakistan is the 6th largest coal rich country in the world.

He said oil sector is another attractive area for investment and many companies of foreign countries including UK, USA & Italy etc. are working in oil exploration and drilling in Pakistan, which shows its lucrative potential. He invited them to bring latest technology & machinery of oil exploration and drilling including rigs to Pakistan and start joint ventures here.

He said President Asif Ali Zardari and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during their two recent encounters in Russia and Dushanbe pledged to boost economic relations and added that enhanced direct interaction between businessmen of the two countries could greatly complement these efforts for strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Russia. 

Speaking on the occasion, members of Russian delegation said they consider Pakistan a potential market for investment and joint ventures while governments of both countries are also keen to open a new chapter in their relationship by boosting bilateral economic ties.

They said they have come to Pakistan on an exploratory visit and are impressed to see the vast scope of cooperation in different sectors for the two countries.

They said in 1990s, Russia faced same kind of energy problems as Pakistan is currently facing and Russia coped with this situation by installing small, medium and large power plants. They showed interest to provide small power plants and solar energy solutions to Pakistan to overcome energy crisis. They said once they get back to Russia, they will brief Russian investors about investment opportunities in Pakistan.