The Punjab government is going to set up a club for Chinese investors at the Faisalabad Industrial Estate. Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced this during a recent visit to the city. The local industrialists have appreciated the decision, terming it a step in the right direction. Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) manages the Faisalabad Industrial Estate set up by the Punjab government. Scores of big manufacturing units have been set up in the industrial estate, where foolproof security and allied facilities are being ensured on a priority basis. Some Chinese companies have also established their units at the industrial estate, providing jobs to people living in the vicinity and other areas. A Punjab government official said that the club was a gift for the Chinese friends. He also said a business facilitation centre to be set up in Faisalabad would ensure better facilities for Chinese entrepreneurs. He said the facilitation centre would offer one-window operation, providing the Chinese investors with NOCs of different departments under one roof within the shortest possible time.

The official said the first such centre was established in Lahore. He said that a branch of the Bank of Punjab would also be set up in the industrial estate to facilitate the entrepreneurs. The officer maintained that the authorities had taught the Chinese language to 200 officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the police, which had been set up exclusively for the security of the Chinese people. He said a third batch of SPU was given the Chinese language course. Meanwhile, Zia Ahmed, an industrialist, told WealthPK that the Pakistani labour force needed to be imparted with relevant skills to be productive. He said Chinese entrepreneurs could help produce a skilled workforce locally. “We must take more concrete measures to attract the Chinese investors in Faisalabad,” Ahmed stressed. He said it was the need of the hour to learn from the Chinese expertise to cater to the needs of customers. Zia Ahmed said exporters of Faisalabad had tremendous potential to bolster foreign exchange reserves by exporting textile products and wooden furniture as well.

“However, they need cheap and smooth supply of electricity and gas,” he said, adding amid the presence of Chinese entrepreneurs in Faisalabad, the exporters could sharpen their business skills. Muzammal Ali, a textile factory owner, told WealthPK that Chinese entrepreneurs had captured the market around the world due to their excellence in research and development. “We must join hands with the Chinese entrepreneurs to cash in on their expertise to boost the economy.” He said the government was ensuring facilities for entrepreneurs, which would surely pay back and strengthen the national economy. Ali said by joining hands, Pakistani and Chinese stakeholders could yield significant economic benefits for both nations. He said by leveraging each other’s skills, knowledge and strengths both sides could foster a conducive business environment. “The way forward for Pakistan to embark on a path of prosperity and growth is to work with the Chinese entrepreneurs,” he stressed.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)