ISLAMABAD: A delegation of leading Chinese companies Monday reaffirmed their commitment to further expand investment and explore more business opportunities in various sectors of the economy. Representatives of 10 leading Chinese companies undertaking business ventures in energy, communication, agriculture, science and technology, financial sector and industry called on Prime Minister Imran Khan, and expressed gratitude to the premier for taking personal interest in facilitating Chinese investors and business community in Pakistan.

The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, who also present during the meeting stated that various reforms introduced at policy and implementation-level have enhanced confidence of the Chinese business community, and Pakistan is being looked as a major partner in development in the post-COVID-19 environment.

The Chinese companies have expressed satisfaction over business-friendly policies especially in improving ease of doing business. The prime minister, while welcoming the representatives of leading Chinese company stated that Pakistan accords great importance to strengthening its relations with China.

The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan and China have shared destiny, and stated that strengthening of business-to-business ties of the people of the two countries is a foremost priority. The present government will accord highest priority to provide every possible facilitation to the Chinese investors, the prime minister assured them.

He asked the Chinese business houses to establish their regional offices in Pakistan. The delegation comprised representatives of Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China), China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China Gezhouba (Group) Pakistan, China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Company Ltd, China Railway Group Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Machinery Engineering Corporation, and China Mobile Pakistan Limited.

Minister for Communication Murad Saeed, Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Finance Advisor Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razaq Dawood, Chairman Board of Investment Atif R Bukhari, and Chairman CPEC Authority Lt Gen (retired) Asim Saleem Bajwa also attended the meeting. Javed Afridi, chief executive officer (CEO) of Haier also attended the meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020