Islamabad: A visiting delegation of US businessmen announced an investment worth USD 100 million for the tourism sector of Pakistan, a news source reported. The US investors called upon Minister of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Ali Amin Khan Gandapur for this purpose.
The minister welcomed the investment interest from the businessmen, and assured that the government will fully facilitate them in any way possible. He added that the state was ensuring measures for promoting and developing the country’s tourism on an emergency basis.
Gandapur revealed that the authorities concerned were planning to set up tourism centres in Skardu, G-B, and several other areas across the country. He added that the federal government will also construct an international standard airport in Skardu to assist tourists.
According to tourism in Pakistan statistics 2018, the number of tourists increased to over 1.9 million in five years. This number was only 565,212 in 2013.
In September, the government had also allowed a tax holiday for foreign investments in the tourism sector, in order to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Zubair Gilani said that they plan to invite foreign investment for the establishment of tourism zones in Galiat, Hazara region, Swat, and more.
Gilani added that they expected a significant amount of investment, since they had heavily prioritised the enhancement of the tourism sector in the country.
