Chinese tech investment invited

Punjab CM chairs investment conference in Guanzhou

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the establishment of a working group and a help desk along with the appointment of a focal person while chairing a roundtable investment conference in Guangzhou, China, on Saturday.

Officials of more than 60 prominent companies from Mainland and Hong Kong region of China attended the conference. Representatives of leading Chinese companies in the fields of health, artificial intelligence, agriculture, information technology, waste management, solar energy and other sectors gave detailed presentations.

The chief minister reviewed various suggestions and recommendations for the promotion of Pakistan-China free trade.

She invited the Chinese technology companies to start operations in Punjab. Responding to her invitation, Chinese technology companies expressed interest in investing in Punjab. She vowed to facilitate them through one-window operation.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared Punjab a land of opportunity for the Chinese companies and gave the participants a detailed briefing on the economic, geographical and business importance of the province.

Representatives of Chinese companies appreciated the launching of the no-plastic campaign in Punjab. "We have launched the 'No to plastic' campaign in Punjab to protect the environment. We have imposed a ban on the sale, purchase and production of plastic that affects the environment," the chief minister highlighted.

She said the arrival of officials from Chinese companies even on a holiday was very encouraging. "The zero-waste mission has started under 'Suthra Punjab' and we will welcome the support and cooperation of Chinese companies in this regard," she added.

She highlighted that the Punjab government was also starting a project to produce renewable energy from waste.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "Mechanisation is being carried out to take the agriculture on the path of innovation. Focus is being given to windmills, solar and renewable energy sources to obtain cheap electricity."

She said, "Reforms are being introduced in the industry to improve the ecosystem. Demand for solar energy is continuously increasing in Punjab. A mega project for solarisation has been launched in Punjab."