Islamabad: Pakistan’s envoy to China, Khalil Hashmi, met with Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss the enhancement of economic cooperation and investment between Pakistan and China. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral economic ties and promoting investment opportunities.
According to Press Information Department, the Finance Minister commended Ambassador Hashmi for his efforts in promoting economic diplomacy and facilitating partnerships between Pakistani and Chinese businesses. The minister emphasized the government’s focus on attracting quality investment, expanding exports, and fostering private sector collaboration.
Ambassador Hashmi informed the Finance Minister about the progress of investment facilitation initiatives by Pakistan’s Embassy in Beijing, highlighting that over US$20 billion in Memoranda of Understanding had been signed between Pakistani and Chinese entities. A significant number of these have progressed into formal agreements, showcasing positive momentum in bilateral investment cooperation.
The discussions also covered the growing interest from the Chinese private sector in various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and biotechnology. The Ambassador noted the recent conclusion of nine agreements in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors and ongoing engagements with over 150 Chinese companies through the Embassy’s platform.
The meeting explored strengthening business-to-business collaborations, particularly for small and medium enterprises, through partnerships with leading Chinese industrial platforms. The Finance Minister praised the Embassy’s structured approach to investor engagement and emphasized the importance of translating commitments into timely project execution.
Further discussions included expanding cooperation in capital markets, sovereign financing, and financial innovation. The Ambassador updated the Finance Minister on ongoing engagements with Chinese financial institutions and preparations for future investment roadshows with entities like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund.
Efforts to align technical and vocational training with new Chinese investments were also reviewed to support workforce development in emerging industries. The meeting emphasized the need for effective coordination across government institutions to facilitate project execution and enhance investor confidence.
Both sides discussed deepening economic cooperation under the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, focusing on expanding exports, promoting value-added manufacturing, and improving market access for Pakistani products. The Finance Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its strategic economic partnership with China through reforms and enhanced investment facilitation.