Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani held a series of meetings with key figures from the Chinese corporate sector here Saturday to give further impetus to economic partnership between the two countries, especially in telecom, agriculture, energy fields.
The Prime Minister said during the meetings that the present elected government attaches high priority to development of economic relationship with China. "We wish to translate excellent diplomatic ties into economic dynamics for the benefit of the people of the two countries," he said. He thanked the Chinese entrepreneurs for investing millions of dollars in Pakistan, assuring all possible incentives for setting up various industries.
Those who met the Prime Minister included Wang Jian Hou, Chairman of China Mobile, Jin Kening, President China National Chemical and Engineering Corporation (CNCEC) and Levin Zhu Chairman of China International Capital Corporation (CICC).
Prime Minister Gilani was told that China Mobile had already invested $800 million in Pakistan's telecommunications sector and was set to invest more in the country this year. He welcomed China Mobile's continued interest in Pakistan economy and assured that the present government will fully support and ensure assistance in overcoming bottlenecks for expansion of China Mobile's operations in Pakistan.
During the meeting with CNCEC, the Prime Minister appreciated China National Chemical and Engineering Corporation's $900 million investment in operating nine plants in fertiliser and PVC sectors in Pakistan. He urged the Chairman of CNCEC to further expand fertiliser production as the government of Pakistan was paying around Rs 60 billion in subsidies on this count and still facing its acute shortage.
The Prime Minister said that due to rising food cost, the development of agricultural sector has become all the more essential and it is one of the main priorities of his government. He said he would lend every possible assistance to attract investment from China in this area.
He also apprised Chairman CNCEC about Pakistan's large deposits of coal and urged him that his co-operation should also invest in energy sector for generation of low cost electricity through coal. In the meeting with China International Capital Corporation executive Levin Zhu, who is son of China's former Premier Zhu Rongji, the Prime Minister commended the able leadership of his father for steering China towards great progress and development in economic and social sector.
The Prime Minister briefed him on the priorities of his government in economic field and urged him to make further investment in Pakistan. Levin Zhu showed keen interest in further co-operating for economic uplift of the country and assured that he is ready to make more investment in various fields, particularly in the energy and agriculture sectors.
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