President calls for enhanced Chinese investment in SEZs

Islamabad: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday called for enhanced Chinese investment in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy, particularly in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to further strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

He made these remarks while talking to the Special Representative of the Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the Vice-Premier of the State Council of China, He Lifeng, who along with members of his delegation called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Monday.

He said that Pakistan is desirous of Chinese cooperation and support to strengthen its agriculture, Information Technology (IT), Transport, and Textile sectors.

Welcoming the delegation, the President highlighted that Pakistan and China enjoyed an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and always stood by each other in difficult times. He added that Pakistan and China had a unique relationship and the world must learn from the time-tested friendship between the two brotherly countries. He appreciated that bilateral relations between the two countries had continued to expand to new areas of cooperation.

Talking about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the President said that CPEC would transform the economic landscape of Pakistan, besides bringing prosperity to the region. He added that CPEC had considerably helped in overcoming the shortage of electricity in Pakistan. He maintained that Pakistan would continue to extend firm support to China on all its core issues.

Dr. Arif expressed gratitude for China’s principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute, apart from thanking the Chinese Government for providing financial support to Pakistan in difficult times. He congratulated the Vice-Premier on the conferment of the award of Hilal-e-Pakistan on him and appreciated his contributions towards promoting Pak-China friendship and successfully overseeing the implementation of CPEC projects.

Conveying his gratitude to the President, the Chinese Vice-Premier recalled President Dr Arif Alvi’s solidarity visit to China in March 2020, saying that the visit would be remembered by the people of China as he undertook it during a difficult time despite the risks of COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted with delight that CPEC had brought significant transformation in Pakistan’s socio-economic and infrastructural landscape and was now poised to further enhance Pakistan’s economic, trade, and connectivity profile in the entire region and beyond.

The Vice-Premier apprised the President about the measures taken by the Chinese Government for the elimination of poverty in China. He thanked the President for the conferment of Hilal-e-Pakistan upon him in recognition of his services.

He also conveyed the best wishes of Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Dr Arif Alvi.