Pak-China business forum: Businessmen for cooperation in economic, education sectors

Technology, education, industrial sectors highlighted as key areas for potential growth.

ISLAMABAD: In the wake of the prevailing energy crises, traders from across the border have offered their expertise and investment to resolve the chronic problem.

Businessmen from Pakistan and China on Sunday expressed their desire to expand cooperation in the energy, economic, and education sectors.

They expressed these views at the opening ceremony of a three-day and Industrial Exhibition at the Pak-China Friendship Centre. The event is being organised by the Comsats Institute of Information Technology.

The Pak-China Business Forum aims provide an opportunity for commercialisation of the products of participating organisations, with a focus on promoting renewable and new energy technologies, information and communication technologies, water conservation, purification and sanitation, and biomedical materials.

A large number of businessmen, industrialists, professionals, corporation and students from China and Pakistan participated in the forum and displayed their products.

Pakistani Ambassador to China Masood Khan said that despite significant trade and business activity, there is still “huge potential for growth” in trade, commerce, education and cultural activities between Pakistan and China.

He said that both countries should collaborate more in science and technology, infrastructure development and research and innovation.

In a nod to the growing east-oriented policies of the present government, Khan said, “Business and trade between Pakistan and China will increase exponentially in the coming years, with our strategic partnership serving as the backbone of our relationship.”

The ambassador also sought cooperation from the Chinese business community in imparting training to their Pakistani counterparts in textile and other related areas.

Masood also underlined the importance of utilising the potential of the youth in the two countries, saying that there is a need to establish entrepreneurial opportunities for them.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mir Changez Khan Jamali said that Pakistan should learn lessons from the Chinese economic model to achieve rapid development. He also urged the promotion of trade and commerce through transfer of technology. He said such forums would promote interaction and ultimately greater economic interaction between the two countries.

Traders from both sides also expressed eagerness to boost regional trade.

Vicky Wu, a Chinese businessman, said that both countries must fill the gaps in each other’s markets. “We can further strengthen our friendship by increasing our economic activities,” he said.

He added that his company, Congsong, desires to expand its activities in Pakistan in the supply of industrial equipment and spare parts, as well as commodities for global mining, construction, quarrying, lifting, recycling, shipping, and energy production.

Jalil Akther, a Pakistani businessman, was also for enhanced regional trade with China but was dismayed by the volatile situation along the Karakoram Highway and also the damage to the highway due to the Attabad disaster, which crippled the only land link between the two countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2012.