Chinese firms offered preferential facilities

Communist Party leader vows to boost economic ties

LAHORE:

The Communist Party of China's Shanghai Committee Deputy Secretary Zhao Zhongming has expressed his determination to strengthen economic relations between Punjab and Shanghai, emphasizing the need to promote cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology and industry.

In a meeting with the deputy secretary after arriving in Shanghai during her visit to China, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif thanked the Chinese government for providing training and education opportunities to Pakistani students and experts.

She invited Shanghai-based companies to invest in Punjab's Special Economic Zones. "Shanghai's emergence as a global financial and trade hub is commendable. We want to collaborate with Shanghai-based companies in various sectors, including automobiles, IT, semiconductor and robotics."

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "IT industry in Pakistan is thriving due to capacity building of the experts with the help of Chinese companies. Pakistan's IT sector has a potential to develop as per the vision of President Xi Jinping." She highlighted, "Punjab government is fully prepared to promote IT sector with the help of Shanghai authorities."

She said game-changing projects like China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had been launched during the visits of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PNL-N leader Nawaz Sharif to China. Chief Minister Maryam Nawazf said,"After many years of political and economic instability, Pakistan's economic indicators are moving towards growth."

She added, "Chinese companies will be given preferential facilities for investment in Punjab."

Zhou Zhongming said, "Trade, investment, infrastructure and people-to-people contacts will further enhance bilateral friendly ties."

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and her delegation visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China, where she was given a detailed briefing on the historical evolution of the party and shown the visual history of the revolution.

She said on the occasion, "China has performed an extraordinary miracle in the world history."

"The evolution of the Communist Party has changed not only China but the entire world. Not only Pakistan but the entire world is benefiting from the rise of China. Chinese people have made exemplary efforts for development and prosperity," she stated.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited the Hongqaio Import Commodity Exhibition and Trading Centre, including the Pakistani pavilion.

The chief minister visited Jinko Solar company where transfer of technology and information exchange between China and the Punjab government were emphasised.

She invited the company to set up a manufacturing plant in Punjab with the support of the provincial government.

The solar company will also establish a charging station in Punjab.