Minister highlights investment avenues

Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh took part in a dinner in Houston, Texas, hosted by Pakistan American Congress president Dr Ashraf Abbasi, The Express Tribune reported. Business figures, professionals and entrepreneurs from the Pakistani-American community were among the guests. The gathering gave him a platform to talk about economic development, the investment climate and business ties with the United States.

He told reporters that Pakistan is drawing growing overseas investor interest and that authorities are working to improve the investment environment further. He listed openings in areas such as IT, food processing, textiles, automobiles, logistics, tourism, housing and construction. He singled out Special Economic Zones as a route to industrial investment, manufacturing, exports and job creation.

Developers and firms that qualify under the SEZ framework may obtain a single waiver of customs levies and duties on capital equipment brought in from abroad. Income tax relief extends to 2035, though this depends on the relevant legal provisions. Qaiser Ahmed said the zones offer dedicated infrastructure and simpler regulatory and administrative procedures to investors.