Federal Minister for Water and Power, Liaquat Ali Jatoi on Tuesday said that lot of potential investors have shown their interest in the Road Show to invest in Pakistan in the power sector. Talking to APP from Dubai on telephone on Tuesday, the Minister said that the Road Show held in Dubai on Sunday last was a successful event and help attract investment. He said that more than 25 multinational companies had participated in the show, adding that some of them also keen to set up power projects through joint ventures.

The investors were given comprehensive briefing on the current economic situation in Pakistan, rising trend of industrial, economic and agriculture growth rates, investment policies, simplified procedure of investment in power sector and the potential in power sector.

The Minister said that the local investors from United Arab Emirates (UAE) had also expressed their interest to invest in small power units.

To a question about the investment for three power projects, unveiled by the government in Dubai, he said that the investors shown their desire to invest in coal fired projects.

He said that the investors also encouraged the Road Show and expressed their desire to conduct more shows in future in other countries.

The Minister was of the view that the investors were very happy regarding the new and transparent procedure of competitive bidding for power projects and tariff, determination through market forces.

He said that next Road Show would be held in London on March 2-3 and hoped that it would also be successful and attract investors for three projects of 1300 MW capacity.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005