Beijing: In an effort to deepen business relations and foster investment, the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing convened a business and investment roundtable today. The event, presided over by the Minister for Board of Investment, Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan, drew participation from over thirty Chinese companies, showcasing various investment opportunities in Pakistan across several key sectors.

According to Press Information Department, Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Mr. Khalil Hashmi, emphasized the dynamic growth in business-to-business (B2B) interactions between Pakistani and Chinese entrepreneurs. He recalled recent successful B2B meetings in Shenzhen, Beijing, Karachi, and Xi’an, which included participation in various fairs, expos, and conferences. The ambassador’s remarks underscored the concerted effort to strengthen the economic ties between the two nations.

Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted the foundational role of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the economic cooperation between the two countries. He noted the significant advancements in B2B and investment cooperation following the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister to China in June 2024. The minister outlined the upcoming phases of CPEC, which focus on industrialization through the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Processing Zones (EPZs), and the Gwadar Free Zone.

The minister also presented the advantages of investing in Pakistan, citing the skilled IT workforce, competitive wages, high consumer demand, and attractive incentives tailored for Chinese companies. He encouraged Chinese businesses to consider investments particularly in sectors like housing, energy, transport, and logistics, highlighting the substantial demand for housing and associated industries in Pakistan.

The event also featured remarks from Mr. Li Shuang, Mayor of Daming city, Mr. Qu Zongkuan, Deputy Mayor of Linyi city, and Mr. Qin Linzheng, Chief Advisor of the China Society for Future Studies, who all praised the embassy’s efforts in facilitating useful B2B exchanges.

Furthermore, three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Chinese and Pakistani companies, marking a substantive achievement of the roundtable. The minister commended the ambassador and the embassy team for their successful organization of the event and informed the attendees about upcoming investment roadshows, urging their participation.