Invest in Pakistan, companies urged

General Ahsan, chairman of Pakistan Ordnance Factory; Asif Ali Durrani, Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE; Mohammed Zakaullah, naval chief of Pakistan; Rana Tanvir Hussain; Abdullah Al Shehhi, operations commander, UAE; and mission commander Shafique on board the Pakistan Navy ship Madadgar at Port Zayed as part of Navdex 2015 in Abu Dhabi — KT photo by Shoaib Anwer

Abu Dhabi — Pakistan has invited investments from the UAE and GCC into its defence industries, including in the manufacturing of its JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, says a government minister.

“We are open to discussions on the possibilities of setting up joint ventures projects here in the UAE as well as in Pakistan in the defence sector,” said Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Defence Productions, in an interview with Khaleej Times.

A high-level defence delegation from Pakistan participated at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, comprising Pakistan Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif, Pakistan Navy Chief; Admiral Mohammed Zaka Ullah; and other military officials and heads of several defence manufacturing companies.

The minister said Pakistan’s 20 state-run defence manufacturing industries manufacture battle tanks, armoured vehicles, cannons, heavy guns, fight jets, trainer jets, and electronics equipment making the country self-reliant in several areas.

He said there were many other areas where the UAE and other GCC investors can benefit from investing in Pakistan. “We have a strong trained cadre, who can do wonders and a huge market to cater to,” the minister said.

Hussain said Pakistan has developed the JF-17 Thunder in cooperation with China, and the country is open to discussions on investing in the aircraft and other projects.

He has held important talks with ministers from Russia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine to explore avenues for bilateral cooperation in the area of defence productions.

Hussain met with Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Serbian Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic and Romanian Secretary of State and in-charge of defence productions Sorin Encutescu, and discussed matters of mutual interests.

The Romanian official showed his keen interest in Pakistani defence products and appreciated its quality.
Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah, managing director of Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works, who is participating at Navdex for the first time, termed it successful.

About potential buyers in the Middle East, he said Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest potential buyers, saying: “We have our programme and are negotiating with them for various naval cooperations, but at the same time we are talking to them regarding their maritime sector as well for survey vessels and other harbour crafts.”

The shipyard is currently constructing a fleet tanker, which is a 17,000-tonne smart ship for the Pakistan Navy, and has just started construction of missile craft.

“We have already built one missile craft which is in use with Pakistan Navy. One of the Missile craft is also participating in Navdex,” he said.

“We have the capability to construct surface vessels, sub-surface vessels like submarines and at the same time we cater to the maritime sector as well. In this sector we provide all harbour craft, auxiliary crafts to ports in the country,” he said.

— haseeb@khaleejtimes.com