ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Tuesday met Lithuania Honorary Consul General Masud Khan, where detailed discussions were held on Pakistan’s economic outlook and its vast investment opportunities.

The meeting was also attended by Rasheed Khan Niazi, former director of Pakistan Television (PTV). The guests appreciated the efforts to promote investment and improve Pakistan’s investment climate.

Sheikh highlighted Lithuania’s export-led growth model as a successful example and emphasised that Pakistan must also adopt an export-driven economic strategy to achieve sustainable growth.

He stressed the importance of active private sector participation in enhancing investment, industrial development and job creation. The minister highlighted key government initiatives, including the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the Business Facilitation Centre and the Asaan Karobar Act, aimed at improving ease of doing business.

Underscoring the need for long-term policy planning, the federal minister stated that policy continuity was essential for economic stability and investor confidence. Facilities and incentives for overseas Pakistanis were also discussed to encourage greater investment inflows.

The expatriate Pakistanis living in Europe, the US, Gulf Arab states and other countries are a great source of remittances, which cater to Pakistan’s foreign exchange needs. The inflow of remittances rose by 9% year-on-year to $16.1 billion in the first five months (Jul-Nov) of the current fiscal year.

During the meeting, the BOI minister reaffirmed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the government of Pakistan continues to implement investment-friendly reforms to strengthen the national economy. “The Board of Investment remains fully committed to facilitating investors and positioning Pakistan as a preferred investment destination,” he said.