Chinese firms show interest in PIA

Officials of a company look for prospects of joint ventures.

ISLAMABAD: A number of leading Chinese firms have shown interest in investing in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and airport facilities in a bid to improve passenger services and increase the number of flights.

“Pakistan needs some improvement in its transportation facilities,” said Qiao Song, Managing Director of Sibol China Limited, a leading Chinese company.

“The reservation system along with airport facilities and the technical know-how to fly to more destinations also need some improvement,” he said.



He is visiting the country to look for prospects of a joint venture between PIA and Chinese firms.

He said Pakistan was situated in a very important geographical area and PIA could take full advantage of this geographical location to get connected to the world.

Qiao said PIA could also be linked to about 10 cities of China and these flights could go further to other destinations.

“Ticketing and reservation system of PIA needs to be improved so that it can be accessed from anywhere in the world, especially for booking and checking flight status.”

Regarding the presence of labour unions in PIA, he said unions were not a problem rather they played an important role in organisations while implementing policies of the administration.

Sibol China Limited Chairman Yang Shu, while giving his views, stated there were many Chinese companies already working in Pakistan and due to strong bilateral relations other companies may opt to invest in various sectors of the country, especially the airline industry.

“Some Chinese companies are doing business and interacting with leading aircraft manufacturing companies such as Boeing, therefore, they can use their experience in the transfer of technology to PIA.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, March  26^th,  2015.

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