Discussions Focus on China-Pakistan Economic and Trade Cooperation, Investment, Second Phase of CPEC, Technology Transfer and Special Economic Zones
Islamabad (News Reporter): A high-level Chinese delegation visited the Capital Office of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), where it held a meeting with FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh and representatives of the business community.
The Chinese delegation included Senior Economic Affairs Adviser Sun Junying, Director Liu Li of the Institute of Belt and Road Urban and Regional Development at Dalian University, Executive Director Xie Laihui of the Division of Belt and Road Studies at the National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Deputy Director of the Economic Affairs Press, Zhou Shu.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said that the Chinese delegation’s visit to Pakistan was highly important for promoting business partnerships and investment between the two countries.
He stressed the need to further strengthen continuous coordination and direct business-to-business links between the business communities of Pakistan and China. He said reciprocal visits by high-level delegations play an important role in creating new opportunities for bilateral trade and investment.
Atif Ikram Sheikh said that CPEC is not merely a corridor but an important project aimed at integrating Pakistan into global value chains. He emphasized that the second phase of CPEC should focus particularly on technology transfer, special economic zones, and cooperation in the agricultural sector.
He said that the establishment of technology parks is also among the important future projects between Pakistan and China. China is a global technological power, and Pakistan can benefit extensively from Chinese technology and expertise.
He emphasized that Pakistan and China need to further expand cooperation in technology, industry, agriculture, and modern production sectors. While government-to-government cooperation is essential, the business communities of both countries must also play an active role in achieving sustainable economic benefits.
Atif Ikram Sheikh said Pakistan can offer extensive investment opportunities to Chinese investors in special economic zones. Direct interaction between Pakistani and Chinese business communities can provide fresh momentum to trade and joint investment.
He stressed that private-sector linkages are essential for transforming the economic partnership between Pakistan and China into practical business cooperation.
Members of the Chinese delegation, while addressing the meeting, said there was significant potential to further strengthen economic and trade relations between Pakistan and China.
They said direct interaction between the business communities of the two countries is extremely important for promoting bilateral economic cooperation. CPEC has provided a new foundation for economic cooperation between Pakistan and China, while the second phase can further promote industrial cooperation and collaboration in the technology sector.
The Chinese delegation members expressed China’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan in industrial development and advanced technology. They said direct engagement with Pakistan’s business community is essential to assess investment and business opportunities in the country.
They noted that special economic zones could serve as important platforms for Chinese investment and industrial cooperation in Pakistan.
The delegation members also emphasized that stronger links among academic, policy, and business circles in Pakistan and China could further consolidate economic cooperation.
They said China is keen to advance long-term and mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Pakistan.