Wednesday, March 2 2005 13:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Geneva: Leading corporate giant Tatas, today (Mar 2, 2005) announced it would explore investment opportunities in Pakistan in areas like automobiles, hotels and software, saying a synergy between the neighbouring countries would be beneficial for the region.

"It is an opportunity that we have. We will be very happy to play a role in that area," Tata group chairman Ratan Tata, who is Geneva, to participate in the Geneva Motor Show, said in an interview.

Tata, who met Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz last month as part of his exploratory mission to Islamabad for expanding business and investment in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, said, "We are waiting for the two Governments to agree on a protocol which I am sure will happen in course of time."

Tata Group was waiting for the two Governments to come out with a concrete plan on trade and investment, he said.

Stating that a synergy between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh on the economic front would be beneficial for the region, he exuded confidence that the region would be really strengthened if these three countries could work together on the trade and commerce front.

On the sectors, which it planned to enter, Tata said that, the opportunities existed in various, including software, automobiles, hotel and basic agricultural products like fertilisers.

Tata debunked the reports of his group having a rethink on its proposed two billion Dollar investment in Bangladesh due to volatile political situation, saying there was no question of shelving the mega plan.

"We have never looked at withdrawing. There has never been an issue of any kind of second thoughts," he said.

The investments were very much on the agenda and the company was in the process of doing a detailed study, which was likely to be completed by March.

"At that time, we will go back to the Bangladesh Government with a detailed proposal, complete in every respect" he added.