ISLAMABAD, MAY 30, SPA -- Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has told Lars Henrik Thunnell, President of International Finance Corporation (IFC) that Pakistan, with a growth rate of over 7% this year, is increasing opportunities for investment and job creation. Talking to Thunnell, Aziz said that as a result of continuing reforms and sound economic management, the economy continues to grow, the middle class is expanding and poverty has reduced over the last eight years, according to an official statement. The Prime Minister said that the per capita income in Pakistan has grown from $438 in 1998-99 to $925 this year which is due to the growth in the GDP. The government is committed towards ensuring equitable growth so that the benefits of growth are spread evenly in the society, he added. Aziz said that multiple investment opportunities exist in Pakistan and he was pleased to note that the IFC is investing in several projects in Pakistan including tourism, power generation, telecommunications, infrastructure and manufacturing. All these areas, he added, show potential for growth and considering the demographics of Pakistan where around 100 million people out of a population of 160 million are below the age of 25 this trend creates a lot of future potential for growth and expansion of the economy. Thunnell congratulated the Prime Minister on the successful launch of Euro bonds by the government which was oversubscribed seven times and its pricing was better than the previous bond issue. He said this is a manifestation of the better macro-economic management in Pakistan resulting in improved economy. He said that IFC has increased its projects in Pakistan from $120 million last year to around $300 million this year. He said that IFC is considering several projects of equity and debt investments in various areas including hotels, manufacturing and power generation projects.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/454423