ISLAMABAD: Recognising the need for improvement within the entertainment industry, the minister of state for information and broadcasting has called for the business community to invest in the film industry.

`The film industry offers huge opportunities for investment and business ventures for the private sector,` Marriyum Aurangzeb said, while addressing members of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Wednesday.

The minister added that the business community should come forward to exploit this potential, which would help the film industry grow.

She lauded the business community`s role in developing the national economy, and said the government has taken man initiatives to create an environment conducive to the growth of trade, commerce and manufacturing.

Ms Aurangzeb also spoke about the improved law and order situation in the country, and highlighted how regional tensions have provided opportunities for business growth, including in the entertainment sector.

She suggested that local productions should fill the gap that has emerged since Pakistan stopped airing Indian content on electronic media and local cinemas stopped screening Bollywood productions.

The minister briefly spoke about the importance of the film industry for any country, saying quality production is in the national interest and offers attractive returns on investments.

She also announced that the information ministry will consider launching programmes on entrepreneurship on PTV and Radio Pakistan, saying: `We want to establish a long-term relationship between the information ministry and the ICCI, to promote business ventures related to mutual interests.

Ms Aurangzeb also said the ministry will organise a seminar on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in January next year, and invited the capital`s business community to participate in the event.

ICCI President Khalid Iqbal Malik said the ministry should highlight investment opportunities in the CPEC project at the national and international levels to attract more foreign direct investment in Pakistan.

He added that the ICCI is planning a handicrafts and women entrepreneurs exhibition in the second half of January, and invited Ms Aurangzeb as the chief guest.

The invitation was accepted by the minister.

-Staff Reporter