- Says grateful to all CMs for not only attending SIFC meeting but also giving their input
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture, Attaullah Tarar stated on Saturday that the Special Investment Facilitation Council’s meeting had disseminated a message of unity as federation and provinces were on one page on the issue of the development of the country.
Speaking to the media after the SIFC meeting, he said it was a serious forum and its meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere wherein discussion was held over the national economy, attracting investment and public-private partnership.
Tarar said he was grateful to all Chief Ministers for not only attending the meeting but also giving their input, saying the forum will move forward with the input of all including the chief ministers of the four provinces.
The minister also congratulated all the provincial governments on the meaningful meeting of SIFC, saying investment will be promoted through SIFC forum both at the Federal and provincial levels.
He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued directives for establishment of six desks to promote investment and trade through SIFC which was the lifeline of the country’s economy. The special desks will be established for United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China, Qatar, European Union and United States of America.
He said all the chief ministers lauded the contribution of SIFC in promotion of investment and trade, claiming that the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had also assured cooperation.
“The prime minister has made it clear that we do not want aid or loans, our focus will be on investment and trade,” the minister maintained.
He said that meetings of SIFC Executive Committee will be held more frequently and it will be empowered to make decisions.
He remarked that federation and provinces were on one page on issue of national development.
To a question, Tarar said he had a conversation with chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a cordial atmosphere. He said that in politics, doors for talks and consultation were kept open and this was a good omen.
To another question, he said that on privatization of PIA he said substantial development had been done. He said that capacity building of ministries will be done and consultants will be hired for this purpose.
He said that SIFC had played an important role in investment agreements with friendly countries. He said that friendly countries had shared interests with Pakistan, that is why they had always cooperated with Pakistan.
Tarar said all financial indicators were positive and allocations were being made by friendly countries.
He said inflation had come down from 37 pc to 17 per cent and its trickle down effects were reaching the masses. He hoped that inflation will come down further in the coming days.
