Why invest in Pakistan!
Large workforce
Pakistan is the 10th largest country in the world according to the size of the labour force. The latest statistics show that the total labour force has increased from 50 million in 2005-06 to 59.7 million in 2012-13. It shows that more than 9 million people joined the labour force during this period. On the other side, the number of employed labour force increased from 46.95 million to 56.0 million during this period. This means that all the increase in labour force could not be adjusted in employment sector and therefore unemployed people increased from 3.10 million to 3.73 million during the same period.
Availability of skilled manpower
Pakistan has more than 200 institutions of Higher Education recognized by the Higher Education Commission. The country produces close to half a million graduates and about 20,000 graduates in Computer Science and about as many in engineering faculties annually. This translates into huge potential vis a
vis skilled manpower in the country.
English speaking work force
Pakistan has one of the largest English speaking work forces outside the English speaking world. English language is compulsory in all educational institutions in Pakistan and secondary, higher secondary, graduate and post graduate level education is largely conducted in the English language. Euromonitor International estimated in 2009 that 49 percent of Pakistani population has working knowledge of the English language which translates into about 92 million Pakistanis.
improvement
The emphasis in recent years has been on infrastructure improvement, both technologically and physically. A series of new motorways has been planned and new highways and expressways have been completed to link various cities in the country. The government is implementing Bus Rapid Transit systems in major cities. Plans to link various cities through bullet trains are afoot. A brand new airport, the Gandhara International Airport, is nearing completion in Islamabad and will be equipped with the latest facilities. On technology front, Pakistan has auctioned off 3G and 4G licenses and now 3G cellular services are operational all around the country. The government is also making efforts towards improving internet connectivity and penetration even in the remotest parts of the country.
Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
China and Pakistan have entered into a comprehensive plan of “economic corridor” between the two nations. It will serve as driver for connectivity between South Asia and East Asia. High level infrastructure development will link Urumqi in Western China to Pakistani centers of Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi and ultimately the Gwadar Port. It forms part of the “String of Pearls” strategic maritime planning by the Chinese. The Chinese Economic Corridor which will link Western China to Middle East and Africa has immense economic potential in services especially transportation and banking.
location
Pakistan is located at a strategic hub, close to the markets of South East Asia, Middle East and also Europe. Pakistan‘s neighbour to the east is India which is a rising economy in its own right and with which Pakistan is attempting to cultivate long term peaceful relations. To Pakistan‘s south west is the oil rich Middle East. Towards Pakistan‘s North West is the energy rich Central Asia and in Pakistan‘s north is China. Pakistan‘s airports can serve as transportation hubs. Karachi‘s Jinnah International Airport is more or less equidistant to Dubai, Doha, Delhi, Mumbai, Muscat, Lahore and Islamabad.
resources
Pakistan is rich in natural resources. The potential for oil, gas and minerals exploration in the west of the country is enormous. The east, historic Indus Valley, is extremely rich in agriculture.