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Strategically located between Middle East, Central Russia, and Far East, Pakistan serves as a potential investment centre that holds enormous opportunities for doing business. The country’s economy has revealed significant performance to strengthen its economic fundamentals. Keeping up with the strongest economic expansion and its growth momentum, Pakistan’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown at an average rate of 7.0 percent per annum during the last five years (2003-07). The manufacturing sector is the second largest sector that accounts for 19% contribution to the total GDP, suggesting an enormous growth within this sector over past few years. The sound economic policies, enduring structural reforms and constructive global economic environment have made Pakistan one of the fastest growing economies in the region.
The major agricultural products of the country are cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane and poultry.
The main industries are textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transport equipment, machinery, fertilizers, constructions, petroleum products, automobile, pharmaceuticals, and paper products.
The main export items are rice, furniture, cotton fiber, textiles, leather etc. whereas the key import items are oil and petroleum-related products, industrial machinery, automobiles and chemicals.
Karachi
Situated on the coast of Arabian Sea, Karachi is the largest industrial and financial centre of Pakistan. It is called the gateway of Pakistan’s economic progress as it is a major contributor to country’s GDP, generating 65% of the total tax revenue. Karachi hosts major national and multinational corporations and establishments. Moreover, The Karachi Stock Exchange is the biggest and the most liquid exchange of the country that is recognized as one of the best performing markets in the world. The Karachi Port and Port Qasim are the two main seaports of the country located in Karachi. “Doing Business in South Asia”, a report by the World Bank, has referred to Karachi as being the most business friendly destination in Pakistan.
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