Business

Pakistan to develop fresh petroleum policy to materialise $12bn Saudi investment

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Policy will provide Pakistan way to attract multi-billion-dollar investments.
Pakistan, KSA discuss, review areas of mutual cooperation.
Two sides agree to hold follow-up meeting next week.

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to facilitate the potential investment of $10 to $12 billion from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan directed the relevant authorities to approve a fresh petroleum policy, The News reported.

Earlier this week, Islamabad persuaded Riyadh to establish a $12 billion state-of-the-art deep conversion refinery along with a petrochemical complex in Pakistan.

The petroleum policy will provide Pakistan with a way to attract multi-billion-dollar investments. On Wednesday, different ministries held consultations for finalising draft agreements, which are expected to be signed during the upcoming visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman to Pakistan.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday held a virtual meeting on the First Joint Economic Sub Committee of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) Chaudhry Salik Hussain, State Minister for Petroleum Dr Musadik Masood Malik, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa and other senior officers from ministries of Finance, BOI, Maritime, Aviation, IT and Telecommunication, Food Security & Research, Petroleum and Power Division attended the meeting.

Both sides discussed and reviewed areas of mutual cooperation and collaboration including energy, industry, mineral resources, commerce, finance, investment tourism, communication information and technology, agriculture, food security, transportation, logistics, maritime, and work to increase trade exchange and investment between the two countries.

“The two sides agreed to hold a follow-up meeting next week to ensure the maximum progress is made in bilateral cooperation in these sectors so that significant agreements are signed during the visit of HRH Mohammed Bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia next month,” the statement concluded.

Dar reiterated that both countries have an exceptional relationship based on social, political, religious and cultural fronts and the need of the hour was to strengthen mutual trade and investment. Both sides also exchanged views on various measures for achieving a greater level of cooperation and for further strengthening the relations.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud recalled the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and mentioned that both sides showed tremendous political will for enhancing bilateral ties.

The Saudi prince highlighted the depth of relations between the two friendly countries in all fields. It was also shared that both countries enjoy long-standing strong mutual historic, religious and cultural ties.

Meanwhile, Dar offered his thanks to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its commitment and dedication towards the Pakistan government and highlighted the deep-rooted ties between both countries in various fields.

Business

Islamic Sukuk Bonds: Government Is Expected To Begin Bond Auction Next Week

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

There is now more positive economic news for the people of Pakistan. The government is anticipated to begin the Sukuk Islamic Bond auction next week, after the central bank’s announcement of a large drop in the policy rate.

Business

SIFC Encourages Green Tourism: Reforming Visas to Increase Investment

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

Enhancing investment in the tourism sector, Green Tourism Pakistan’s initiative has received backing from the Special Investment Facilitation Council.

Visa-On-Arrival for 126 countries, Visa-Free Entry for Gulf Cooperation Council nations, and 24-hour expedited visa processing are some of the main features of the Green Tourism Visa Policy.

It is anticipated that these endeavors will draw in about 80 million dollars in foreign direct investment and 8.3 billion rupees in domestic investment.

Green Tourism Private Limited has introduced hunting resorts in Naltar, Hunza, and Skardu, along with four- and five-star city hotels, to improve the tourism experience.

In the first phase of the project, 17 of the 78 areas have seen the start of development activity.

Approved is a central authority for Green Tourism that will supervise the growth of Air Operations.

To promote Religious Tourism, extra precautions have been taken to guarantee the security of visitors from all religions, including Sikhs and Buddhists.

Furthermore, in order to improve the quality of the tourist experience, the green guide quality program has been introduced to supply top-notch tour guides.

There is now a deluxe bus excursion from Islamabad to Peshawar that promotes local culture.

Business

July 2024 export data from Pakistan shows a significant rise.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

The Strategic Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has been instrumental in improving Pakistani products’ access to international markets, as seen by the significant surge in exports from the country at the start of the 2024–25 fiscal year.

With a 7.26% rise over the same month the previous year, July 2024 exports to the US were $476.017 million. After increasing by 7.74% annually, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the second-largest export destination.

The third and fourth places were occupied by exports to the UK ($183.303 million) and China ($60.100 million). A substantial increase in exports to Afghanistan was recorded in July of this year, rising from $46.262 million to $88.065 million, largely due to successful anti-smuggling efforts.

With a combined export volume of $553.951 million, more important export destinations included Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

A bright future for the national economy is suggested by the growing confidence major international markets have in Pakistani exports. Through the efforts of SIFC and the government, this greater access to global markets has been made possible.

Pakistan’s economy is predicted to remain stable as a result of the export growth that SIFC has enabled.