Pakistan and Chinese businesses will collaborate more closely after finding business opportunities that benefit both sides. A delegation of Pakistan-China Business Forum (PCBF) led by Chairman Sheikh Nasir Ali toured the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), for the said purpose. Members of the delegation liaised with their peers of the ICCI and vowed to return with proposals for joint ventures and business collaborations. Coming together of the businesses of the two countries will boost economic activity in Pakistan. Delegation members also discussed the importance of trade fairs, business expos and business-to-business contacts. 

Sheikh Nasir Ali, Chairman, PCBF, during his address said that the “forum was working to promote business linkages between Chinese and Pakistani companies to enhance business collaboration, joint ventures and investment between the two countries. PCBF will do its best to make sure that businesses that are willing to expand operations in Pakistan are facilitated in every manner from government approvals to meeting with partners.

Our efforts will be crucial in bringing investments in special economic zones which are being developed under the aegis of CPEC.” Sheikh Ejaz, Co-Chairman of PCBF said that “their forum will cooperate with ICCI in its efforts for a new industrial zone in the region as it will improve Pakistan’s exports, reduce imports, and attract more investments from China.” “Pakistan offers a perfect launching pad for productive activities and the exports of finished goods to Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Pakistan can also benefit from the coming of Chinese businesses into the country. They will create employment, and improve the skill-set of our labor force,” he added.

Vice Chairman of the PCBF, Liu Shaohong, during his address, said that “a lot of business companies see a lot of potential in the market of Pakistan. Especially in the domain of green energy and renewables, Chinese companies are willing to partner with local entrepreneurs to make an impact.” Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that “Chinese companies should transfer technology and set up industrial units in Pakistan to help Pakistan in the process of import-substitution. Chinese companies can also help Pakistan by training its labor force to take on more technical duties. Pakistan exports electronic goods worth USD 10 billion annually.

Chinese companies can set up operations here to increase the volume of exports of electronic goods.” He said that many sectors of Pakistan’s economy including IT, engineering, manufacturing, construction, tourism, warehousing, cold-chain logistics, air freight & transportation, trucking and urban transport offered great investment opportunities and stressed that Chinese investors should make full use of them by investing in Pakistan.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk