Lahore: At the 9th Footwear Manufacturers Association Show, Federal Ministers Abdul Aleem Khan and Jam Kamal Khan expressed the government’s commitment to bolstering investment and enhancing the global presence of Pakistani brands. They emphasized the recent uptick in international investor interest as evidence of successful economic strategies.

According to Press Information Department, both ministers detailed the government’s efforts to attract foreign investment, citing the participation of over 800 investors from 70 countries at a recent conference in Karachi as a sign of growing confidence in Pakistan’s market potential. Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Abdul Aleem Khan, encouraged local companies to effectively market their brands internationally, adhering to competitive standards and modern trends. He noted the ongoing partnerships with Chinese institutions and the significant export opportunities for Pakistan’s leather, footwear, and sports goods industries, with the promise of full support from the Board of Investment.

Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan discussed the potential of the Chinese and Pakistani markets for each other, highlighting the Ministry of Commerce’s role in facilitating investor relations in line with the Prime Minister’s directives. The event showcased products from 25 prominent Pakistani and Chinese companies, with the China Association extending an invitation to the ministers to visit China.

Further discussions at a B2B meeting with Chinese and Pakistani companies revealed positive outcomes from a recent prime ministerial visit to China, including the expansion of commercial and trade officers in the Pakistani Embassy in China to promote bilateral trade activities.

On the privatization front, Abdul Aleem Khan outlined progress with the privatization of PIA, with a plan set for October 1 to finalize the selection of a company from six shortlisted candidates. He emphasized the transition towards privatization of state-owned enterprises to alleviate government financial burdens and improve service standards. Meanwhile, Jam Kamal Khan addressed the need to tackle the energy crisis and bureaucratic hurdles to boost commercial activities and attract further foreign investment.

The ministers’ remarks underscore a strategic push to enhance Pakistan’s industrial sectors and economic landscape through targeted policy measures and international cooperation.