Vancouver’s Consulate General of Pakistan formed in September of 2007 as a way to better trade, academic and cultural connections with British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Yukon Territories. Since its establishment, the Pakistani community of the Lower Mainland has not only grown but flourished to thrive.
So, what are the trading opportunities inside this Asia-Pacific region? We spoke to the Embassy’s Consul General Mr. Janbaz Khan about why people should invest in Pakistan.
A Beneficial, Geo-strategic Location
Pakistan’s fortunate location makes it an entry point to Asia’s most central, energy-abundant states, its financially booming Gulf states and the economically-thriving Far Eastern states. This advantageous location makes way for economic abundance.
A Trained & Qualified Workforce
A substantial part of Pakistan’s workforce is extensively trained and qualified, with many having had international experience. It has a large pool of professionals proficient in English who are committed, hardworking and possess the skills needed to further grow Pakistan’s world reach.
An Economy With Perspective
Pakistan has an ever-growing middle class with over 174 million consumers. It has abundant land with natural resources for agriculture, crop production, mineral reserves, crude oil, natural gas and so much more. To add, Pakistan’s Foreign Direct investment saw a significant rise from an average of $300 million in the 1990s to over $3.7 billion between 2008 and 2009. The fiscal deficit saw a decline from an average 7% GDP in the 1990s to an average of 3% in most recent years. FOREX reserves also saw an increase, from $3.22 billion in 2000 to $11.6 billion in 2009.
Adaptable Investment Regulations
Pakistan’s current investment policies, laws and regulations are bespoke to suit investor needs, both local and international. Trends have presented consistency in liberalization, deregulation, privatization and facilitation.
A Reformed Financial Sector
With the modernization and reform of capital markets, there has been an improvement in the country’s stock exchange infrastructure. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has improved stock exchange regulation, the corporate bond market and the leasing sector. The Federal Board of Revenue has also made important revisions in tax and tariffs, while the State Bank of Pakistan has transformed the banking sector to have substantially high ROI.
Pakistan’s underestimated potential combined with an economy teeming with possibilities makes it an ideal investment choice. With one of South Asia’s top investment regimes, the country’s profitable incentives have attracted countless foreign and local investors. Today, Pakistan invites you to experience the possibilities for yourself.
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