Australia on Thursday said that Pakistan is gateway to energy rich central Asian states, financially liquid Gulf States and economically advanced far Eastern countries.
This was stated by Australian High Commission to Pakistan Economic Counsellor Melissa Kelly while talking to Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee on Diplomatic Affairs Sheikh Humayun Sayeed and FPCCI Chairman Media Malik Sohail here on Thursday.
She said that her country is impressed with Pakistan’s natural and human resource potential which is matchless.
Some of the recent signs of growth in Pakistan are very inspiring as this country fulfils the criteria to become a developed nation soon, she remarked.
She said that Pakistan has world’s second largest salt mine, fifth largest gold mine, fifth largest coal reserves, seventh largest copper mine; it is a great consumer market and having a competent workforce, the fourth largest in the world.
Melissa Kelly said that an Australian delegation has just completed visit of Pakistan and they have decided to invest in the citrus sector including construction of a juice extraction plant.
She said that there is a great scope of cooperation between Pakistan and Australia in different sectors including energy, industry and agriculture. “Despite numerous challenges Pakistan’s economy was faring well which is very encouraging,” she added. On the occasion, Sheikh Humayun Sayeed highlighted the salient features of liberal and deregulated trade regime of Pakistan which offered enormous opportunities for foreign investors. All major international investors and companies are making profits despite the security challenges, he said.
