- Saudi Arabia to provide oil worth $3 billion on loan to Pakistan for three years
- S Arabia is also interested to invest $6 billion in Gwadar oil refinery
ISLAMABAD, February 12: The unstable economy of Pakistan gets a positive news as Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan is likely to bring $20 billion investment in the country.
According to sources, deals with Saudi Arabia have been finalized to get oil on loan. The fellow Muslim country will provide oil worth $3 billion to Pakistan for three years.
Furthermore, meetings will be held with Mohammed bin Salman to hand over two power plants based on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Saudi Arabia, with an expected investment of $2 billion. Saudi Arabia is also interested to invest $6 billion in Gwadar oil refinery.
The refinery and oil complex in the strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea is the ultimate destination for the massive multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which lies not far from the Indo-Iranian port of Chabahar.
Meanwhile, a private television channel reported that the federal government will sign three vital Memorandums of Understanding with the Saudi Arabia government during the visit, said Haroon Sharif, the chairperson of the Board of Investment.
“The first ever visit by the Saudi crown prince is highly important for Pakistan and its economy,” the BOI chief said. “The bilateral economic and trade ties will be strengthened as a result of this royal visit.” Sharif shared that investment worth over $10 to $15 billion is expected to come into Pakistan. He said 40 major businessmen from the private sector are coming to Pakistan along with the top Saudi dignitaries. The BOI chairperson highlighted the significance of the visit.
“There are two investment angles of the visit. One pertains to the Saudi government-owned companies like Aramco and ACWA Power that are looking forward to install an oil refinery in Gwadar,” Sharif said.
“Moreover, they are interested in investing in sectors of alternative energy and mineral development too.”
Pakistan is likely to sign a number of investment deals, including the construction of multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in the port city of Gwadar, during Crown Prince Salman’s visit. Saudi Arabia had already pledged a $6 billion package for Pakistan. – DNA
