Pak-China relations transforming into enhanced investment, economic ties: PM

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasising the transformation of friendly relations between China and Pakistan into enhanced investment, economic and trade ties, said that the next phase of CPEC will mainly involve business to business arrangements, particularly in the industrial sector.
He expressed these views while addressing the representatives of international companies, including those from China, doing business in Pakistan here on Friday. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, federal ministers, prominent businessmen and senior officers were also present on this occasion, the official news agency reported.
The PM said: “Pakistan and China are two iron brothers and now we have to convert these relations of brotherhood and friendship into enhanced investment, economic and trade relations, particularly in the fields of agriculture, information technology, mines, minerals and infrastructure.”
Being an agrarian economy with over 60 percent rural population Pakistan needs to further strengthen and augment its agricultural produce, he said and informed that Pakistani agricultural exports increased by $3 billion in the last financial year while “we have fixed a target of additional $7 billion for the current fiscal year”.
Terming it as a quantum leap that required vigorous efforts along with adoption of modern technology and techniques and best practices, PM Shehbaz said that China could be Pakistan’s best partner in achieving this target of boosting agricultural exports and value addition in exports.
Referring to his recent visit of China, the PM said that fascinated by the wonderful technology and culture in Chinese educational institutions he decided to send 1,000 Pakistani boys and girls for advance training in China in agriculture. That programme was almost finalised and now these students would go to China for refresher courses, he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that Pak-China friendship is not only higher than mountains but now it is touching skies as Pakistan has sent its own satellite into space with the assistance of China.