Punjab - Land of Rich Rewards & Plentiful Opportunities

Punjab not only is the economic and cultural hub of the country but also an increasingly important region from a global standpoint. With a history dating back over 9,000 years, it is a cradle of civilization as well as an entrenched legacy in agricul-ture, far better than any other agriculture powerhouse in the world. To this day, Punjab enjoys unique status among the agriculturally driven economies of the world.

Pakistan is progressively becoming a significant player on Asia's economic map. It has a GDP in PPP terms of over USD 855 billion (2014) and a population of over 186 million. It is located at the nexus of Central and Southern Asia and the Middle East.

Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan with a population of over 100 million people. The word Punjab, derived from Persian, means "Land of Five Rivers." Not only Punjab is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of population but also contributes over 60% to the national economy.

Being a largely self-sustaining agrarian province with an abundant production of food crops and livestock, Punjab is also referred to as the granary of Pakistan. It offers a large market with skilled and cost-competitive labor force, deregulated economy, a Gross Provincial Product (GPP) of USD 276 billion in PPP terms, strategically advantageous location in Asia, a liberal investment infrastructure, rich fertile land complemented by four seasons and the highest literacy ratio in a country where major cities have a literacy ratio of over 70%.

Industrial Zones in Punjab

Punjab is the most industrialized province of Pakistan with approximately 68,000 industrial units including:

• Textiles
• Sports' goods
• Heavy machinery
• Electrical appliances
• Surgical instruments
• Cement
• Vehicles and auto parts
• Processed foods

Major Reasons to Invest in Punjab

• Strategic geographical location, huge market size with large workforce.
• State-of-the-art infrastructure, motorways, highways, universi-ties, colleges, telecommunications and hospitals.
• Availability of trained yet low-cost labour force.
• Accessibility of abundant raw materials.
• Continuity in economic policies with strong political commitment to private sector development.
• Pro-investment and trade policies for local and foreign investors with foreign investment fully protected under law

Punjab Board Of Investment & Trade

Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT) is the provincial investment and trade promotion agency, linking Punjab to both domestic and international investors. PBIT is working with a mandate to facilitate foreign and domestic investors in their projects and help them navigate through federal and provincial issues. PBIT is striving to create an environment leading to a prosperous Punjab.

PBIT helps bridge the gap between private corporates and public sector. It provides investors and businesses with a one window facilitation service and as a catalyst in harnessing the innate potential of Punjab and increasing global recognition of its business environment.

Functions of PBIT

Trade and Investment Promotion in Punjab We are focused to enable our investors to benefit from Punjab Government's liberal and investor-friendly trade and investment policies.

Punjab as a Business Destination

PBIT is engaged in promoting local businesses to grow in international markets.

Investor Facilitation

It offers an Investor Facilitation Service which includes technical, legal and regulatory advisory for business development. It is also involved in matchmaking at various project stages. Clients are provided with sector analysis and reports based on their specific requirements.

Proactive Trade and Business Policy

Based on the feedback it obtains from businesses and investors, PBIT suggests measures to improve the regulatory aspects of policy and business environment both at provincial and federal level.

B2B Matchmaking

B2B matchmaking is a fast and easy way to encourage business and trade. It maintains a database of businesses in Punjab which enables the organization to link local businesses with potential new partners around the globe.

Marketing and Image Promotion of Punjab

PBIT is actively involved in organizing and participating in foreign and local investment events, trade fairs, road shows and exhibitions in collaboration with provincial departments such as tourism, education, energy, infrastructure, etc., to promote Punjab.

Member of the World Associations of Investment Promotion Agency

Punjab Board of Investment & Trade is a Steering Committee Member and the Director of South Asia at the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) - a prestigious world association of organizations similar to PBIT created by UNCTAD. In its endeavor to put Punjab on the world map, PBIT has been conducting and participating in global and local trade and investment events.

Acumen Fund & GOP

Faruk H. Khan, Country Director, CEO, Acumen Pakistan and Jacqudine Novo Gratz, CEO, Acumen New York visited Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (BIT) on February 12, 2014 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PBIT.

As per the MoU, PBIT will undertake a public-private partnership with Acumen, by arranging funds for the solar power and clean drinking water projects for the underprivileged. It was also agreed that these projects would not be wholly funded by the Government of Pakistan. Acumen would be responsible for executing and managing these projects.

Textile Park

Setting up of a textile park with an investment of Rs 200 billion in M-III Industrial Estate Faisalabad with the collaboration of Chinese industrialists is the starting point of the journey towards progress and prosperity. This project will generate thousands of job opportunities, exports will increase substantially and a new era of progress and prosperity will usher in.

Coal Power Plants

Coal power plants of 270 megawatt are also being established at the Textile Park. This whole project will bring about a revolution in industrial sector and motivate other industrialists.

Solar Power Project

There has already been progress in this connection whereby, PBIT has successfully facilitated a pilot for the Solar Project through Akhuwat. PBIT was elected due to the high quality of service it has provided to its clients from around the world. PBIT is mandated by the Government of Punjab to provide its services free of cost.