Australia interested in Thar Coal development: Ambassador? Peter Heyward

Islamabad:The Ambassador of Australia to Pakistan Peter Heyward on Tuesday said his country is interested in Pakistan’s matchless potential in human and natural resource. We can jointly exploit gift of Thar Coal, he said.

He said that major Australian mining and oil and gas companies are keenly watching developments in Pakistan which will help them plan stepping in this promising market.

Peter Heyward said this while talking to a delegation of Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) led by its founder President Samina Fazil.

President IWCCI Farida Rashid, Adviser IWCCI Malik Sohail, Naima Ansari and others were also present on the occasion.

Peter Heyward said that Australia can get access to energy rich central Asia and Gulf states by using Pakistan as an economic bridge. We can further strengthen bonds in education and agriculture sectors, he noted.

Pakistan fulfils every criterion to become a developed nation soon, he said, adding that no county can afford not to put women to production and full participation in the economy.

Underlining the importance of linkages, Heyward said that Pakistani and Australian businesswomen associations would be linked while his country will offer training, education, networking, information sharing and exchange opportunities to Pakistani women.

Wife of the Ambassador, Ms Suzzane Heyward said that she will try best to infuse confidence in business women by encouragement and capacity building measures.

She offered her residence for exhibitions where wives of all Ambassadors would be invited which will help local women entrepreneurs find business and intercommunication opportunities.

At the occasion, Samina Fazil said that women in Pakistan are strong part of the society offering variety of services. Samina highlighted the importance of liberal and deregulated trade regime of Pakistan which offered enormous opportunities for foreign investors.

President IWCCI Farida Rashid said that economies of Pakistan and Australia are compatible which is prerequisite for enhanced bilateral cooperation. We have a great consumer market and a competent workforce which is fourth largest in the world, Farida informed.

Adviser IWCCI Malik Sohail, who is also Chairman Media FPCCI delivered goodwill message of national business leaders Tariq Sayeed, Iftikhar Ali Malik and Haji Ghulam Kadir Sherani to Mrs and Mr Ambassador.FPCCI is the apex trade body of Pakistan and all the associations as well as business councils comes under its umbrella, informed Sohail.International investors are making profits despite some challenges, he said.