LAHORE: The ongoing projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have already laid the foundation to inspire more Chinese business community to get attracted towards Pakistan.
This was stated by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Senior Vice President Almas Hyder while addressing a nine-member Yantai trade delegation from Shandong Province, China here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Thursday. Former LCCI president Syed Mohsin Raza Bukhari, LCCI vice president Nasir Saeed, Leader of the delegation Wang Han, President of Shandong Chamber of Commerce & Industry Cheng Xiaoyan and Zhai Jun also spoke on the occasion. Former LCCI Vice President Aftab Ahmed Vohra, Executive Committee Members Amjad Ali Jawa, Mian Abdul Razzaq, Tariq Mahmood, Rizwan Akhter Shamsi, Haji Muhammad Akram and Syed Mukhtar Ali were prominent among the other participants.
Almas Hyder said that Pakistan is looking for foreign investors and buyers especially belonging to China. It will not be wrong to say that at present it is the most appropriate time and environment where both countries can add a new dimension to their bilateral ties.
He said that that in last few months, we did have the honour of hosting important trade missions at Lahore Chamber visiting from different parts of China. He said that frequent visits of Chinese delegation to Pakistan to explore trade and investment opportunities are enough to prove that Pakistan is top priority of the Chinese businessmen.
The LCCI Senior Vice President said that the Government of Pakistan is trying its level best to facilitate the foreign investors to do business here and has ensured that transfer of their funds and profits is easily carried out.
He said that at present, all the major chambers of Pakistan are busy in building relations with foreign investors. He said that the provincial governments along with the federal government are taking all possible steps to increase foreign investment in the country. In this situation, he said, the Chinese companies can benefit the most by liaising with the local chambers.
Head of the Chinese delegation hoped that they would find more opportunities for trade and investment. He said that being a major hub of trade and economic activities, Lahore can provide more opportunities to the Chinese entrepreneurs. He hoped that visit of delegation would be result oriented and Chinese companies will find new trade partners in Pakistan.
He said that Chinese delegation members are ready to join hands with Pakistani counterparts. He said that the Chinese business community values Pakistan highly therefore they are always ready to put their money in new ventures in Pakistan. He said that both China and Pakistan are resourceful countries but the level of bilateral economic relations do match with the warmth of their ties therefore the private sectors in the two countries need to come forward to further strengthen these relations.
The LCCI Vice President Nasir said that both the countries not only share border but also have unanimity of views on various political & economic issues. The two countries have a combined market of more than 1.5 billion people but the trade volume needs to be pushed up. He said that Chinese importers may have better prospects for Pakistani goods particularly of Carpets, Leather and leather products, Surgical Equipment, Sports goods, Fruits and vegetables, Rice, Pharmaceuticals, Cotton etc.
