DUBAI: Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Investment, Ambassador Javed Malik said on Wednesday that countries would have to adopt innovative approaches to attract Foreign Direct investment (FDI) and new strategies are needed to effectively promote a country's investment and trade potential globally.

He was speaking on the first day of the Annual Investment Conference 2014 at a panel discussion in which global experts in foreign direct investment and government officials were taking part.

A keynote address by Secretary General of UNCTAD (United Nations Conference for Trade and Development) was also scheduled.

The Annual Investment Conference officially started in Dubai on April 8, 2014 and was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum along with the Crown Prince of Dubai and senior government officials from UAE.

More than 20 Ministers along with trade and investment delegations from over 100 countries are taking place in the conference in addition to heads of international trade and investment organizations.

After the inaugural session, Ambassador Javed Malik specially participated in an international panel discussion entitled "Investment Partnerships and New Forms of FDI, Greenfield Investment versus Mergers and Acquisitions".

The session was moderated by Ruth McKee and other participants included Alexandre David de Sousa Costa Secretary of State for government of Angola, Ana Teresa T. Lehmann from Portugal, and Hassan Sohbi, from the German company Taylor-Wessing in addition to other UAE and European participants.

Highlighting Pakistan's trade and investment opportunities, Ambassador Javed Malik and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Pakistan's democratically elected government is committed to providing a business and investor friendly environment which facilitates foreign direct investment and opens the door to expanding trade with Pakistan.

He particularly spoke about the very lucrative opportunities being offered in the energy sector where companies are not only being encouraged by very attractive rates of returns are being offered.

He also spoke about the infrastructure, agriculture sectors which provide good opportunities too.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the conference, Ambassador Javed Malik said that " We will continue to take every opportunity to represent Pakistan on international forums and project our positive image to the world by highlighting our trade and investment opportunities, our rich cultural heritage and our vibrant social fabric as part of trade and economic diplomacy mission to position Pakistan as a modern, democratic and investor friendly country".

Source: APP