Muhammad Saleem

The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) has said that a group of Chinese investors visited the chamber recently, and expressed their willingness to explore avenues for investment in Pakistan in general and in Faisalabad in particular. Talking to WealthPK, FCCI's standing committee on research and development head Ahmed Hassan said the Chinese entrepreneurs' focus on Faisalabad would augment the local and national economy. "Realising the economic potential of Faisalabad, the Chinese investors came here so they could meet the local entrepreneurs to get first-hand knowledge of the investment potential," Hassan said. "It's heartening that Chinese investors are exploring avenues for investment in Pakistan," he said, adding that it was the prime duty of the government to accommodate them in launching their ventures. He said Alan Xiao, the Managing Director of AJA Holding (Hong Kong), a Chinese firm, was leading the delegation. Alan Xiao, Hassan said apprised them about the trade potential of Dongguan, which last year exported various products worth $139 billion.

"We are now exploring new destinations elsewhere for investment as the cost of labour is high in China. Pakistan is the prime choice for China thanks to the CPEC," he quoted Alan Xiao. The FCCI member said representatives of other firms, including Jiangxi China Worldwide Ecological Agriculture Company Limited, Guangdong Jinsen Management & Consulting Company Limited and Rhine International (Pakistan), were also part of the delegation. "AJA Holding is seeking ways to invest in different fields like garments, agriculture technology, metallurgy, furniture, medical, machinery and others," Hassan said, adding that Alan Xiao expressed interest in establishing industrial units here. He said Chinese investments would open new avenues for local industrialists as Chinese companies were efficiently using modern technologies to boost their businesses. Yasir Ali, who is attached to a printing business, told WealthPK that they imported raw material from China.

However, he hoped that Chinese investments would bring modern production methods to Pakistan, meeting the raw material needs of local industry. He said it's praiseworthy that Chinese firms had started to meet the local businessmen directly so that they could find ways for investment.  He said the Chinese investors would not only bring modern technology to Pakistan but would also impart necessary training to workforce, thus enabling them to earn a decent living.   Hassan, the FCCI leader, said that under CPEC, China had already helped Pakistan establish special economic zones in Faisalabad. He said the Chinese delegation had been assured that FCCI would extend all-out help to them to establish their units in Faisalabad. He said the Faisalabad Industrial Estate and Management Company (FIEDMC) should guide the Chinese investors on how to begin their ventures in the region.

Credit: INP-WealthPk