Shaukat, who met giants of Corporate America, investors and big business houses here on Thursday, said that the present government through its agenda of economic reforms and implementing the policy of deregulation, privatisation and liberalisation has become ideal for foreign direct investment in the region.
Shaukat held breakfast and luncheon meetings with the members of Business Council for International Understanding, US textile importers and CEOs of City Group, Sandy Weill, Chairman and CEO of General Electric, Jeff Immelt, and senior corporate officials of companies and discussed various issues with them. Later, he described the talks very useful and productive.
He said he told the big investors that Pakistan, a nation of 150 million hardworking and intelligent people, was located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia, which was going to be hub of trade and commercial activities in near future. "Pakistan's per capita income is $736, which is highest in the region and its GDP of 8.4 percent is next only to China, he added.
He said that under the Textile Vision Programme, the private textile sector has invested more than $5 billion to modernise its industrial units to meet the future challenges under the WTO regime.
He said that the basic purpose of his meetings with the Corporate America, heads of financial institutions, media, think-thanks and senior members of the Bush administration and Congressmen was to project Pakistan as an Enlightened Islamic State, which was co-operating with the United States in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
He said Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. "Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and it should never be linked with terrorism or extremism."
Later talking to newsmen, he said that the Corporate America has appreciated the Pakistan government's efforts to modernise the infrastructure and creating business-friendly environment in the country.
In her remarks, former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright, who heads her group of companies, said, "I salute the Pakistani leadership for their economic achievement in such a short period.