Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday instructed that half of all government cargo shipments be routed through Gwadar port, in a move designed to elevate the port's strategic significance and boost its operational capabilities.
This directive was issued during a review session in Islamabad, which focused on Chinese investment in Pakistan. The meeting followed the recent visit of a Chinese expert delegation from July 30 to August 6, as reported by Radio Pakistan.
During their visit, the Chinese delegation held discussions with officials from various Pakistani ministries, exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation across diverse sectors.
The discussions reportedly led to significant advancements in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, IT, communications, and infrastructure collaboration.
The meeting also emphasized the importance of utilizing Chinese expertise to expand Pakistan’s export potential and overcome non-trade barriers. To promote this, sector-specific roadshows will be organized across various Chinese cities to showcase Pakistani products.
The briefing further highlighted the interest of several Chinese companies in relocating their operations to Pakistan, indicating a potential boost to the country's industrial sector.
In agriculture, it was revealed that Pakistani students and researchers would receive training in China, with 572 applications already submitted for the program. PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of ensuring students from all provinces are equally represented in these opportunities.
The meeting also reviewed the progress on agreements and MoUs signed with the Chinese government and companies. The prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to fast-tracking these initiatives, warning against any delays in their implementation.
In July, Pakistan introduced a new strategy to facilitate joint ventures between Chinese and Pakistani companies, targeting investment in seven critical sectors: medical and surgical equipment, plastics, textiles, leather, meat processing, fruits and vegetables, and waste management.
This strategy, revealed during a joint meeting of the Board of Investment chaired by federal ministers Abdul Aleem Khan and Jam Kamal Khan, will involve 78 Chinese business organizations and 167 Pakistani companies in collaborative efforts.
These efforts highlight Pakistan’s ongoing push to strengthen economic ties with China through strategic investments and joint ventures, aiming to stimulate economic growth and development.