President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI Sultan Ahmed Chawla) and Chairman Pakistan-Turkey Business Council, Amjad Rafi Thursday welcomed the installation of first wind power generation plant by Turkish Company, Zorlu Energy, which was launched by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday. While lauding the role of Turkish company in setting up its 100 percent owned turn key project to be expanded to 250 MW, Mr Sultan Chawla remarked that "this sends a clear message that Pakistan is an investment friendly country," and expressed confidence that others will follow suit. He commended the Government's strategy to use this inexhaustible alternative, environment friendly, renewable energy resource, as Pakistan's coastal belt has an unexplored potential of 85 GW wind energy. He added that "at a time when nuclear power option does not appear feasible, thermal energy is a costly option, hydropower is embroiled in controversies; wind-power offers an extremely viable option". Chairman Pakistan-Turkey Business Council, Amjad Rafi expressed his deep appreciation of Turkish Company, Zorlu Energy, for putting up the wind power project with 100 percent equity capital and technology, completed in record time of one and a half year. He said that it is heartening to note that this will be eventually expanded to 250 MW (at a total cost of $400-500 million).-PR