"I am confident that the visit will set pace for long-term commerce and investment relations as political leaders and entrepreneurs appreciate the enormous business potential and our strong economic growth," he told newsman flying back home after a six-day visit.
Speaking particularly about his interaction with Norwegian business leaders, President said he informed them about the investor friendly climate existing in the country. "I spoke of Pakistan's expanding market and protection of investment and they expressed satisfaction at the fact that the top leadership in the country is committed to facilitating foreign investment in a number of prospective areas," he said.
Pakistan's recent economic upsurge, its vital strategic location at the heart of South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Gulf remained a recurrent theme throughout the visit as he rolled out the country's economic and fiscal policies. "I told them that we are a country of 156 million people, with skilled and qualified workforce, are committed to deregulation and privatisation of large public organisations.
These countries have attained a very high degree of industrialisation and now seek foreign lands for expansion of their business. "And from my numerous interactions in both Oslo and Davos I can safely say that international investors see Pakistan as a promising destination as we have put in place a right kind of business climate, which is win-win for both investors and the Pakistani nation, plus we are establishing six high tech universities, which will prepare our youth in accordance with requirements of industrial development."
On his participation in the discussion on Muslim societies and modernisation the President said he highlighted the need for clarifying misperceptions both in the Western and the Muslim worlds. "Modernisation is not conflict with Islam, Ijma and Ijtehad keep Islam current with the world modernisation is not giving up our values but bringing about improvement in the lives of our people, improvement in the quality of services for them, their socio-economic progress and human resource development.
"Modernisation is acquiring modern scientific and technological knowledge and expertise for our fast-paced development. We must make it clear that modernisation is not in conflict with Islam, which stands for progress and well being of people."
The President also called for clearly understanding Islam's real values and in this context he referred to his proposal of setting up a department of Islamic thought. "We must understand and project real values of Islam within the Muslim societies and then also project the same to the outside world. We must project our duties to our family, society and the nation." At the same time, he said, the West also needs to understand that the interpretation of Islam by the obscurantist is not real Islam.
The President said the leaders he met at the World Economic Forum express admiration for Pakistan's efforts in addressing the earthquake catastrophe efficiently.
President Musharraf said he also took the opportunity to project Pakistan's policy for establishment of peace in the region and informed the world leader about Islamabad's call for flexibility from both Pakistan and India for resolution of the lingering Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
"Overall, it was a successful visit. I am confident that we will reap benefits of our policy of economic liberalisation and consistent high growth. We have informed the world of our economic achievements and policies, now we have to facilitate their investment and remove any hurdles in way of it. I see greater flow of investment in the coming few years."
Later, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro and senior military and civil officials received the President at Islamabad airport as he returned after six-day visit.