OSLO, Norway, Jan. 24, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- On Tuesday, Pakistan's President, General Pervez Musharraf visited Telenor's headquarters at Fornebu, Oslo. The visit of President Musharraf coincides with Telenor Pakistan exceeding 2 million customers after less than 11 months of operation.
Together with representatives from Norwegian industry, the President participated in a Round Table Conference on business opportunities in Pakistan. In the following press briefing, the President expressed his gratitude to Telenor for organising the Round Table Conference and for spearheading investments from Norway into Pakistan.
"I am greatly honoured by President Musharraf's initiative to visit Telenor. I am also very satisfied with the outcome of the Round Table Conference that we facilitated today. We have all learned more about the Government of Pakistan's vision for the country and the business opportunity that Pakistan has to offer. The Government of Pakistan recognises the importance of telecommunications in today's world. The Government of Pakistan's contributions in securing a liberal and transparent market, characterised by level playing fields are essential in order to attract investments, and will promote competition to the benefit of both consumers and businesses in Pakistan. Telenor has made a long-term commitment and aims to play a significant role in the development of communications services in Pakistan. Today we exceed 2 million customers in Pakistan," said Telenor's President and CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas.
Fastest growing network
Telenor launched mobile services in Pakistan in March 2005, 11 months after having won a tender competition for a national license for mobile telephony. Mobile penetration in Pakistan currently stands at approximately 13 per cent. Approximately 150 million people live in Pakistan. Telenor Pakistan is the fastest growing network in the country. Telenor Pakistan is wholly owned by Telenor. Telenor paid USD 291 million for its Pakistani mobile license and plan to invest an estimated USD 1 billion over a period of 6 to 8 years.
In addition to President Musharraf and Mr. Baksaas, the following official members of the Government of Pakistan as well as top executives of Norwegian industry and commerce participated in the Round Table Conference:
Mr. Khurshid M. Kasuri, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jehangir Khan Tareen, Minister for Industries and Production Mr. Awais Khan Leghari, Minister for Information Technology Professor Atta ur Rehman - Minister (Chairman, HEC) Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Ms. Sumaira Malik, Minister of State for Youth Affairs Mr. Shahbaz, Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway Paul Chaffey, CEO, Abelia (Association of Norwegian ICT - and knowledge-based enterprises) Ole Enger, Executive Vice President, Orkla Thorleif Enger, President & CEO, Yara Morten Fon, President & CEO, Jotun Inge K. Hansen, President & CEO, Aker Kvaerner Arve Johansen, Deputy CEO, Telenor Miklos Konkoly-Thege, President & Chairman of the Executive Board, DNV (Det Norske Veritas) Helge Lund, President & CEO, Statoil Asgeir Myhre, CEO, Teleplan Bjoern Olafsson, President & CEO, NERA Hakan Olsson, Managing Director, Normarc Flight Inspection Systems Tore Torvund, Executive Vice President, Oil & Energy, Hydro Erling OEverland, President, NHO (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise)
To the editorial offices
Photos from the visit of President Musharraf, including a group photo of all participants, can be downloaded from http://www.telenor.com/press/image_gallery/archieve/240106.shtml or www.scanpix.no
Contact
Scott Engebrigtsen, Head of Information Telenor ASA, Tel: +47 90 04 34 84, scott@telenor.com
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