PM seeks Chinese investment in maritime
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses a ceremony in Islamabad marking International Youth Day on Aug 12, 2025. Photo: Express
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further strengthening its economic partnership with China, inviting Chinese companies to explore and invest in a wide range of sectors of the country's economy, with particular emphasis on maritime industries.
The prime minister made these remarks during a detailed meeting with a delegation from Shandong Xinxu Group Corporation, which was led by its Chairman Hou Jianxin, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office. He said that Pakistan and China have consistently stood by each other in every testing time, and expressed his government's determination to elevate bilateral economic cooperation to new heights.
PM Sharif assured the Chinese delegation that his government would extend all possible facilities to Chinese investors, particularly those interested in establishing projects within Pakistan's Special Economic Zones (SEZs). He reiterated that the government remained committed to making the investment climate more attractive, predictable, and business-friendly for international investors.
During the meeting, the delegation was briefed on the significant potential within Pakistan's ship-breaking and ship-recycling sectors, which remain largely untapped despite offering considerable opportunities. In response, the Shandong Group expressed keen interest in building a modern and environmentally sustainable green ship-breaking yard in Pakistan, along with the development of a large-scale maritime industrial complex.