Deepening Pak-China business ties Pakistan’s foremost priority: Imran Khan

By Masood Sattar Khan 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan accorded great importance to strengthening its relations with China as both countries had shared destiny. The strengthening of business-to-business ties of the two people was the foremost priority, Prime Minister Imran Khan informed a Chinese delegation on August 25. 

He was talking to a delegation of 10 leading Chinese companies, undertaking business ventures in vital sectors including energy, communications, agriculture, science and technology, financial sector and industry which called on him in Islamabad. 

The delegation comprised of representative of Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China), China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China Gezhouba (Group) Pakistan, China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Company Ltd, China Railway Group Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Machinery Engineering Corporation and China Mobile Pakistan Limited. 

The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, and Javed Afridi, CEO Haier, were also present on the occasion alongwith Minister for Communications, Murad Saeed, Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Finance Advisor Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razaq Dawood, Chairman Board of Investment, Atif R Bokhari, and Chairman CPEC Authority, Lt Gen (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa.

The Prime Minister assured the Chinese investors that the Pakistan government would accord highest priority for the provision of every possible facility to the Chinese investors. He also suggested to the Chinese business houses to establish their regional offices in Pakistan. 

The Chinese investors thanked the Prime Minister for his personal interest in facilitating Chinese investors and business community in Pakistan. They expressed satisfaction over the business-friendly policies of the present government, especially in improving ‘ease of doing business.’ 

They reaffirmed commitment to further expand their investments and explore more business opportunities in various sectors of the economy. 

“Various reforms introduced at policy and implementation levels have enhanced confidence of the Chinese business community and Pakistan is being looked upon as a major partner in development in the post COVID-19 environment,” the Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing stated.