Beijing, 2 November 2022 (TDI): Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with representatives of Chinese companies in Beijing, on 2 November 2022 during a two-day visit to China.
Prime Minister presided over the online Pakistan-China Business Forum. In Pakistan-China Business Forum over 500 companies participated to discuss business, trade, and investment seniors in Pakistan.
A high-level delegation from Pakistan led by Prime Minister discussed bilateral business ties and investment projects with Chinese companies primarily NORINCO, Power Construction Corporation of China, Energy China, China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), and others.
Prime Minister offered Chinese companies to visit and invest in Pakistan. Moreover, he extended an offer to work together in different sectors including energy, trade, construction, transport, and water supply.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regretted to Chinese companies for the issues they faced in Pakistan. He further said that Pakistan has paid 160 billion rupees and will pay 50 billion rupees soon owed to Chinese companies.
Furthermore, he stated that on the directions of Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister, the State Bank of Pakistan has created a revolving account from 50 billion rupees.
Besides that Shehbaz Sharif also regretted the problems Chinese companies faced with the payments of Chinese imported coal. Talking on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project, he said we will solve the problem of land acquisition.
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In addition to that, he commiserated with the Chinese brothers and sisters who lost their lives in last year’s attack and assured the security for the Chinese officials and workers in the country.
On top of that, Prime Minister said that it’s Pakistan’s responsibility to protect Chinese people working on CPEC or other projects. He further guaranteed the top-tier security of Chinese people in Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the water supply issues in the City of Karachi and offered to work together in collaboration with Sindh Government. Chinese company signed an agreement to work on a water project in Karachi.
He further urged the Chinese company to complete work on Gawadar Airport Project this year. While the Chinese enterprise assured the completion of the Gawadar Airport Project earlier next year.
Prime Minister invited investments from Chinese companies in the energy sector mainly wind energy and Pakistan’s plan to produce 10 thousand megawatts of electricity through solar energy.
Moreover, he expressed gratitude to Chinese companies for taking an interest and investing in ML-1 Railway and many other projects.
Chinese enterprises in response showed keen interest in investments and joint ventures in Pakistan and looked forward to cooperating more closely in 2nd phase of CPEC.
Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of joint cooperation for development as it will enhance bilateral relations between Pakistan and China and bring peace, stability, progress, and prosperity.
In conclusion, Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif thanked China for its generous assistance to Pakistan during flood catastrophes and their interest in investing in Pakistan by quoting that he visited Gawadar three times in the last six months.
Student of BS Peace and Conflict Studies at NUML, Islamabad
