Trucks driving along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway before the Karakorum mountain range near Tashkurgan in China's western Xinjiang province. PHOTO: AFP
FAISALABAD: Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong will visit Faisalabad next month to inaugurate a Chinese desk at the chamber of commerce in a bid to facilitate businessmen planning to launch joint ventures with Chinese counterparts under the industrial cooperation phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
This was disclosed by Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Vice President Engineer Ahmed Hassan, after holding a meeting with the Chinese envoy at a function organised to mark the 90th anniversary of China’s People’s Liberation Army.
FCCI to revamp its R&D cell
The function was hosted by Chinese embassy’s Military, Naval and Air Attache Major General Chen Wenrong. It was attended by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and high civil and military officers.
On his return back to Faisalabad, Hassan said $58 billion would be spent on CPEC under a government-to-government arrangement while $150 billion was expected to be invested by private sectors of the two countries under CPEC’s industrial cooperation phase. He emphasised that the Chinese desk was being created to provide necessary information and guidance to the businessmen associated with the FCCI, who were eager to participate in the investment phase.
He said he invited the Chinese ambassador to visit and inaugurate the desk, which the envoy immediately accepted, saying he would try his best to visit Faisalabad in September.
Hassan was of the view that language was the main barrier in the way of strengthening linkages between the people, industrialists and businessmen of the two countries.
For exporters: FCCI to set up special cell
Realising the obstacle, the FCCI has arranged a Chinese language course and its fourth batch is going to start next week.
Hassan pointed out that the research and development wing of the FCCI had so far published two studies on the challenges and opportunities under the CPEC project.
A CPEC directory is also being compiled which will have data of various industrial and commercial units going to participate in CPEC.
Hassan said he also presented a book on CPEC prospects and challenges for agriculture in Pakistan to the ambassador.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2017.
Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ