In a recent meeting with foreign business representatives, including a significant number of Chinese investors, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of deepening the partnership between Pakistan and China across various sectors. Sharif underscored the potential for growth in agriculture, information technology, mines and minerals, and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Sharif described the Pak-China relationship as “higher than the Himalayas” and praised the influx of Chinese investors exploring new opportunities in Pakistan. He emphasized that enhancing this partnership can lead to substantial economic benefits for both nations.
Sharif pointed out that agriculture is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, with 60% of the population residing in rural areas and depending on this sector. He stressed the need for modernization and the development of value-added services to fully capitalize on agricultural potential.
Drawing from his recent visit to the Chinese Agriculture and Research Centre, Sharif expressed admiration for its scale and capabilities. He announced a government initiative to send 1,000 Pakistani students for refresher courses in modern agricultural techniques.
The Prime Minister also set an ambitious goal of increasing Pakistan’s agricultural exports by an additional $7 billion, with China positioned as a key partner in achieving this target.
Additionally, Sharif discussed the upcoming phase 2 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will focus on Business-to-Business (B2B) agreements in agriculture, IT, and other sectors. He encouraged businesses to leverage CPEC opportunities and form B2B partnerships to maximize the benefits of this strategic project.
