QUETTA: The Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBoIT) has organised a webinar to attract Australian investors to invest in Balochistan and highlight various opportunities.

Representatives of Australian investors and business community including Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Babar Amin, Consul General in Melbourne Sardar Adnan Rashid, Consul General in Sydney Muhammad Ashraf, Investment Consul Hassan Kanji attended the webinar.

Farman Zarkoon, Chief Executive Officer, BBoIT, gave a presentation about the trade relations between Pakistan and Australia. He briefed the participants about the geographical importance of Balochistan, investment opportunities in various sectors of the province, and incentives provided by the government.

Welcoming the participants, Pakistan High Commissioner Babar Amin said Balochistan offered many opportunities for investors and therefore, he was ready to extend all possible cooperation and assistance.

Investment Consul Hassan Kanji also said that Australian investors had a keen interest in various sectors of Balochistan who could be facilitated to promote investment, adding Australian mines exploration companies were operating in different parts of the world and therefore, those companies could take advantage of the minerals in Balochistan.

While answering questions, Farman Zarkoon said small and big business projects had been proposed in Balochistan and several steps were being taken to resolve leases and other issues in the mining sector. Foreign technical assistance and investment in the sector would be welcomed.

The tourism sector is crucial for the promotion of investment. There are vast opportunities for investment in the tourism sector especially in the coast line of Balochistan. He also said that a lot of work was being done in the IT sector as well. Tax exemptions and other incentives are also being given to the investors.

He further added that the situation in Balochistan had changed. Thirty foreign companies are working here without any hesitation. BBoIT welcomes the investors so that they can come and explore the untapped potentials of Balochistan.—PR