PM invites Chinese investment in SEZs

FAMSUN, Shandong Xinxu and CCCC reaffirm interest in agriculture, maritime and infrastructure projects

BEIJING:

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to deepening economic, industrial and infrastructure cooperation under CPEC Phase II during a series of high?level meetings with leading Chinese enterprises, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The prime minister met FAMSUN CEO Zhengjun Chen and appreciated the company's longstanding contribution to Pakistan's agriculture sector, particularly in grain storage, feed production and food security. He emphasised Pakistan's focus on reducing post?harvest losses and invited FAMSUN to establish manufacturing and technology transfer facilities in Pakistan under incentives available through special economic zones (SEZs) and the Green Pakistan Initiative.

PM Sharif also met Shandong Xinxu Group Chairman Hou Jianxin and welcomed the group's expanding footprint in maritime development, battery manufacturing, mineral processing and industrial cooperation. He appreciated Xinxu Group's role in advancing the Xinxu SEZ, the Sea?to?Steel project at Port Qasim, and investments in Gwadar and northern mineral sectors. He reaffirmed the government's full support for these strategic projects and encouraged accelerated implementation under CPEC Phase II.

The prime minister also met China Communications Construction Corporation (CCCC) Chairman Zhang Bingnan and senior representatives of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). He appreciated the companies' over six decades of contribution to Pakistan's infrastructure development, including the Karakoram Highway and the Rashakai SEZ. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to fast?tracking priority infrastructure projects including ML?1, KKH realignment and other connectivity initiatives under CPEC. He emphasised that Pakistan values CCCC and CRBC as long?term strategic partners in infrastructure modernisation and regional connectivity.

The Chinese companies reaffirmed their confidence in Pakistan's economic potential and expressed strong interest in expanding investments across agriculture, industrial manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure and technology sectors. The prime minister was assisted by senior ministers and officials who were instructed to ensure rigorous and timely follow?up of decisions taken during the meetings.

Separately, addressing a ceremony at the IBI Corporation headquarters in Beijing, the premier underscored the importance of strengthening Pakistan?China economic and commercial cooperation, promoting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing institutional linkages between the business communities of the two countries. He noted that deepening such ties is a cornerstone of the all?weather strategic cooperative partnership.