Chinese investors laud support by Punjab govt

Shahbaz addresses business conference in China

LAHORE: “Pakistani and Chinese businessmen and industrialists have come together at an important juncture of history. The work they are doing together is not limited by location. Rather, people throughout the country will benefit from their collaboration,” Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

He was presiding over the Punjab-Shandong Business Conference in Jinan, China, with Vice Governor of Shandong Ji Xiang Qi.

The chief minister said, “Thousands of agreements are signed every day all over the world. How many of them are actually implemented? Work on the agreements signed under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has begun and the progress is unprecedented.”

He said half of the work on the 1,320 megawatts coal power plant in Sahiwal had been completed. “The project was launched last year. It will be complete in less than two years.”

“I have seen the coal power plant in Talwandi, India, that was also set up with Chinese cooperation. It was completed in four and a half years,” he said.

The chief minister said the coal power plant in Sahiwal would be much more efficient than the one in Talwandi.

“China has supported Pakistan in every hour of need. The friendship between the two countries has gotten stronger over time,” he said.

Earlier, Vice Governor Ji Xiang Qi welcomed Sharif and his delegation. He said the partnership between Shandong and the Punjab would open a new chapter for development in both countries.

Chinese businessmen investing in the Punjab shared their experiences and impressions on this occasion.

Heads of leading public sector companies of China, ministers of Communist Party, senior office-bearers and investors from private sector also participated in the conference. Pakistani investors and businessmen were also present.

The Chinese investors said they had had an excellent experience working in the province.

They praised the measures taken by the provincial government for security of Chinese workers.

The chief minister said he would recommend to the federal government to confer a medal to the head of the Chinese company showing the best performance in Pakistan.

Industrialist Muhammad Mansha said: “The Punjab offers a favourable atmosphere for Chinese investors. Chinese traders can also benefit from the GSP Plus status. There are opportunities for investment in textile, construction, cement and dairy sectors.”

Sharif also met chief executives of the consortium of Chinese companies working on Sahiwal Coal Power project in Jinan. Senior officials of Huaneng Shandong and Ruyi Group were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2016.