Pakistan says Denmark’s FLSmidth keen to invest in mining sector

Pakistan's finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb (third from right) meets a delegation of a Danish business group headed by the Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Jakob Linulf, in Islamabad, Pakistan on September 1, 2024. (Radio Pakistan)
Short Url
Updated 02 September 2024
Follow

Pakistan says Denmark’s FLSmidth keen to invest in mining sector

  • The Danish company provides global mining and cement industries with equipment and services
  • Minister says Danish cooperation in Pakistan’s mining sector will strengthen South Asian economy

ISLAMABAD: A Danish multinational firm, FLSmidth, has expressed its interest in investing in Pakistan’s mining industry, Pakistani state media reported on Monday, citing top officials.

FLSmidth, which provides the global mining and cement industries with equipment and services, expressed interest during a meeting of a Danish business group, led by Denmark’s Ambassador Jakob Linulf, with Pakistani ministers for finance, commerce, petroleum, and privatization in Islamabad.

Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said Denmark was an important business partner of Pakistan and Danish cooperation in Pakistan’s mining sector and bilateral business activities would strengthen the Pakistani economy, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

“CEO of FLSmidth, Mikko Keto, said they will move forward with actionable suggestions and profitable projects in the mining industry,” the report read.

Since avoiding a default last year, Pakistan has been trying to boost trade and foreign investment to revive its fragile $350 billion economy. There has been a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity between Pakistan, China, and Central Asian and Gulf states in recent months.

During the meeting, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb assured the Danish businessmen of every possible facilitation with regard to investment in Pakistan, according to Radio Pakistan.

“The government wants to promote business activities with the support of private sector,” Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said, describing possible Danish investment as “encouraging.”


Sri Lanka seal gritty T20 win over Pakistan to level series

Updated 44 min 53 sec ago
Follow

Sri Lanka seal gritty T20 win over Pakistan to level series

  • In a contest trimmed to 12 overs a side, Sri Lanka scored 160 runs before choking Pakistan to 146-8
  • The series saw the visitors clinch the opener by six wickets before rain washed out the second game

Dambulla: Sri Lanka eked out a hard fought 14-run victory over Pakistan in the third T20 at rain-hit Dambulla on Sunday, easing their batting jitters and squaring the three-match series 1-1.

The series, a warm-up for the T20 World Cup with Pakistan set to play all their matches in Sri Lanka due to political tensions with nuclear-armed neighbors India, saw the visitors clinch the opener by six wickets before rain washed out the second game.

“We were a bit worried about our batting and I’m glad we addressed that today,” said Wanindu Hasaranga, who walked away with both Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors.

“The bowlers did a good job too. The ball was wet and it wasn’t easy. We tried to bowl wide and slow and asked them to take risks.”

Hasaranga took four wickets in the game and in the process completed 150 wickets in T20Is.

In a contest trimmed to 12 overs a side, Sri Lanka muscled their way to a competitive 160 before choking Pakistan to 146-8.

Having been bowled out inside 20 overs in the series opener, Sri Lanka needed a statement with the bat and duly ticked every box after being put in.

The top order laid the platform and the middle order applied the finishing touches.

Wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis made hay under the Power Play, blasting 30 off 16 balls while Dhananjaya de Silva (22 off 15) and Charith Asalanka (21 off 13) kept the scoreboard ticking.

Skipper Dasun Shanaka then swung the momentum decisively, clubbing 34 off just nine deliveries, peppered with five towering sixes.

The sixth-wicket stand between Shanaka and Janith Liyanage produced 52 runs in just 15 balls and proved the turning point, shifting the game firmly Sri Lanka’s way.

Pakistan came out swinging in reply, racing to 50 in just 19 balls with captain Salman Agha hammering 45 off 12 balls, including five fours and three sixes.

But once the field spread, Sri Lanka tightened the screws, applied the choke and forced the asking rate to spiral.

“It was a good game of cricket,” Agha said.

“We conceded too many runs, but our batting effort was good. Unfortunately, we fell short. We know we are going to play all our World Cup games in Sri Lanka and it’s important that we played in similar conditions,” he added.