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Former Australian PM Bob Hawke meet with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat
Aziz said that the recent World Islamic Economic Forum promote business and
trade activities and also lead to a better image of Pakistan as important
leaders, intellectuals and professionals from all over the world who attend it.
He was talking to Mr. Bob Hawke, Former Prime Minister of Australia who called
on him at the PM House Islamabad. Bob Hawke is again visiting Pakistan.
The Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan values its multifaceted
relationship with Australia and is keen to further strengthen cooperation in a
broad spectrum of areas particularly trade, investment, education, agriculture,
agribusiness and livestock.
Emphasizing the need for promoting interfaith, inter-civilization,
inter-cultural harmony, the Prime Minister Aziz said the gap between people
belonging to different faiths is widening and the world needs to work harder and
make dedicated efforts to bridge this gap.
"The more walls we create, the more challenging it will be for future
generations", the Prime Minister said.
On the internal political situation, the Prime Minister Aziz said Pakistan is an
evolving democracy. Pakistan, he said, has an active parliament, independent
judiciary and free media all of which are leading to consolidation of democracy
in Pakistan.
All elements, which contribute to the development of a democratic culture, are
gaining strength, which coupled with consistency and continuity of policies
augers well for the future of the country, he added.
In the social sector, the Prime Minister Of Pakistan said health, education and
women empowerment are the three areas of the government focus.
The government of Pakistan, he said, through a series of affirmative actions is
working on increasing the participation of women in all spheres of life to
ensure economic, political and social empowerment for them.
"We have more women in our parliament than many other parliaments of the world,"
the Prime Minister said.
Giving an overview of the economy, the Prime Minister underlined the philosophy
behind the country's reform agenda which is ensuring growth with dignity and
development with equity.
He said Pakistan has emerged out of a low investment, low growth syndrome. He
said Pakistan's economy has grown at 6-8% per annum during the last four years
and over 7% in the last three years, thus positioning itself as one of the fast
growing economies of the Asian region.
All social indicators are moving up and 10-15 million people have been brought
out of poverty net during the last seven years.
Bob Hawke appreciated the initiative taken by Pakistan to organize WIFE and said
the Forum is instrumental in networking of business community and new ideas and
concepts will be generated as a result of it which will create economic
opportunities.
He said a number of Australian companies are keen to invest in Pakistan and
enter into joint ventures with Pakistani companies in the fields of energy and
agribusiness.
The meeting was attended among others by Minister of State for Economic Affairs
Division Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar and seniors officials from Govt of Pakistan.
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Australian company
keen to invest in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime
Minister of Australia Bob Hawke accompanied by the Chief Executive of Woodside
Enemy Andrew Kirk on Friday called on Minister for Petroleum and Natural
Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon. They discussed with him investment potential in
the oil and gas sector in Pakistan.
During the meeting Andrew briefed the Minister about Woodside Energy profile and
its worldwide activities in the oil & gas sector with annual turn over of $ 25
billion. He expressed his company’s desire to invest in the Liquefied Natural
Gas (LNG) projects and onshore exploration activities.
Welcoming the guests, the Minister said that the government has deregulated and
liberalized the petroleum sector and provided a level playing field to the
investors in an investor-friendly climate.
He said that the government of Pakistan would welcome Woodside Energy’s
participation in the LNG, and oil & gas exploration activities for the mutual
advantage.
The Minister said that the government has introduced a liberal LNG policy to
attract investment and would facilitate the prospective investors in this
regard.
The Minister said that the government has also formulated an ambitious energy
plan to bridge the supply and demand gap aimed at sustaining the upward economic
trend.
Bob Hawke said that both the countries enjoy excellent friendly relations
growing with the passage of time in diversified fields for their mutual benefit.
Secretary Petroleum Ahmad Waqar, Chairman Saif Group of Companies Javed
Saifullah Khan and senior officials of the Ministry were also present during the
meeting.
