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ISLAMABAD: The World Economic Forum, (WEF) that ended its five-day meeting in Davos, turned out be an event that gave Pakistan a unique opportunity to present itself as a growing economy, fast emerging at the crossroad of Gulf, South and Central Asia.

President General Pervez Musharraf, who represented Pakistan at the WEF’s annual meeting, was the most sought-after person by the world business leaders who were keen to know about the economic progress in Pakistan, sensing country’s strategic location that accommodates half of the world population.

Over the course of the five-day meeting, more than 2100 participants from 94 countries, including more than 30 heads of state or government, 75 Cabinet ministers, 28 religious leaders, 18 union leaders and more than 50 heads of NGOs converged at the Davos skiing resort to discuss sustained economic growth throughout the world.

The world’s key business tycoons like Bill Gates of Microsoft, Peter Brabeck-Lemathe, Chief Executive of Nestle, George Soros, of Soros Foundation, Thomas J. Bata, Chairman Bata Shoes Foundation, Robert Luts, Vice Chairman General Motors, USA, Raymond V. Gilmartin, President and Chief Executive of Merek, Daniel Versala of pharmaceutical giant Novaratis and Chief Executive of Nissan, had arranged prior meetings with the President.

The President was also invited to working breakfast, luncheons and dinners by these leaders in a bid to have maximum opportunity to know Pakistan.

President Musharraf effectively projected Pakistan’s potentials as a regional hub of the economic activities and received tremendous response from the these leaders who were very keen to explore investment and business opportunities in the country.

Software tycoon Bill Gates discussed with the President the prospects of increasing Microsoft involvement in Pakistan. He also proposed some suggestions vis-a-vis E-goverance in Pakistan to be examined by the government. He also promised to help the Pakistan government in its efforts to produce world-class IT professionals.

Novaratis’ Chairman Daniel Versala during his meeting with the President discussed further expansion of his company’s business with focus on using Pakistan as a conduit for exports to South, Gulf and Central Asian regions. The company already has a strong presence in Pakistan.

Chairman Merck, running a factory in Pakistan, showed keen interest in increasing its investment in Pakistan for enhancing production mainly for export purposes.

Nestle’s CEO, with already a large investment in Pakistan, also discussed expanding its business in Pakistan. Prince Karim Agha Khan also met the President and exchanged views on the efforts in the social sector and the investment opportunities in the country.

“The WEF provided a unique opportunity to Pakistan to show its economic potential to key business leaders, and their interest is an indication of their trust in the country’s growing economy which will prove a good omen, specially in the sphere of foreign investment,” said Finance Minister Shukat Aziz, who along with Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar and Governor State Bank Dr. Ishrat Hussain accompanied the President.

The two economic ministers also held meetings with business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum to project Pakistan’s budding economy.

Shuakat Aziz said President Musharraf’s meeting with these leaders also greatly helped to remove some misperceptions about the country with regard to law and order and the security of investment.

The President also held meetings with UN Secretary General Kofi Anan, US Vice President Dick Cheney, besides formal and informal interaction with other political and religious leaders, and explained Pakistan’s view point on the issues of extremism, world political disputes and nuclear non-proliferation and new developments in Pakistan-India relations.