PM expresses hope for strong Pak-China B2B partnership

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday stressed to build strong business to business (B2B) link between Pakistan and China to further enhance bilateral relationship and expand China-Pakistan Economic Corridor's (CPEC) dividends.

While speaking at the first convention of Pakistan China Business and Investment Forum (PCBIF) in Islamabad today, the premier stated that, “We should double our efforts to link with the Chinese business houses and create a supporting atmosphere to attract Chinese investments”.

The Prime Minister was confident that his visit to China and meetings with the Chinese governing bodies will be fruitful to accomplish these objectives also to promote our strategic and cultural relations. Sharif said Pakistan strongly needed to emulate the Chinese model of development for its sustainable progress and prosperity.

Former Punjab Chief Minister continued that, “I strongly believe that the CPEC has been a game changer in building our business relations and billions of dollars has been invested already committed by the Chinese Companies”.

“Pakistan was able to tackle the issue of load shedding because of the energy projects completed under the CPEC,” he recalled.

The prime minister mentioned that the huge potential exists between the two countries and called for restructuring the business procedures in Pakistan to benefit from China, the second-largest economy in the world.

Shehbaz noted that, “Given our relatively inexpensive labor, relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan by establishing Special Economic Zones will be a win-win situation for the industries of both the countries”.

Talking about Pakistan’s agriculture sector he proposed that, “Pakistan can improve its agriculture revenue by taking advantage of the Chinese modern technology and techniques. We can install agro built industrial houses and export agriculture production to the Middle East and other countries”.

Referring to the Chinese achievements under President Xi Jinping, Sharif said that, “Pakistan needs to follow and learn from Chinese model”.

The premier also acknowledged the Chinese government and firms for their immense support to the flood-affected people of Pakistan. He said China is one of the largest donors to the flood victims at the moment. China designed an air bridge between the state’s capitals Beijing and Islamabad, to send important items such as food, tents and medicines.

He further added, “the way Chinese companies and people donated in the flood relief show the depth and strength of this relationship”.

Adding to his statements, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said, “Pakistan wants to augment partnership with China to boost its exports and become part of its global supply chains”.

“The government is dedicated to remove all the blockages which can hinder the way of attracting investment in the country,” he stressed.

PCBIF has to design the path that bulk of the Chinese investment starts flowing into Pakistan, said Ahsan.

Minister for Board of Investment Salik Hussain added that his department is leading the second phase of industrial cooperation under the CPEC which foresees establishing of SEZs and developing business to business cooperation.

He further added that, “We have also drafted a pitch book of investment projects ready for investment in Pakistan and it will be mounted to the Chinese side during the Prime Minister's visit to Beijing”.