PM Khan tells China why the time is right to invest in Pakistan

Chen Siqing, Chairman of Bank of China Group (BOCG) in a meeting with PM Khan, where he highlighted Pakistan’s immense market potential and the geo-strategic advantage of doing business in the country. (Photo by PM Office)

Chen Fenjian, Chairman of China Railways Construction Corporation meets with Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing on Saturday. PM Khan is on a five-day official visit to the country, his first after assuming office in August. (Photo by PM Office)

Yan Zhiyong, Chairman of Power China listens on as PM Khan appreciates Beijing’s business ventures in Pakistan, particularly under the flagship of the CPEC project. (Photo by PM Office)

• Encourages business leaders to explore opportunities in diverse socio-economic sectors
• Beijing says more talks needed before committing to bailout package

ISLAMABAD: As part of his ongoing visit to China, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met with the heads of major business groups in Beijing and discussed ways to usher in more investments for the country, officials said on Saturday.
This is Khan’s first official visit to China since assuming office in August this year.
Pakistan is looking to negotiate details for a bailout package with China to tackle its economic problems.China, however, believes that more talks would be needed to finalize any such agreement, Chinese media reported on Saturday.
Following a meeting with the Chinese leadership, Khan met with several senior executives, including Chen Fenjian, Chairman of China Railways Construction Corporation (CRCC), Chen Siqing, Chairman of Bank of China Group (BOCG), Yan Zhiyong, Chairman of Power China, Charles Yang, President of Huawei’s Middle East region and a coterie of other officials.  
Highlighting Pakistan’s immense market potential and the geo-strategic advantage of doing business in the country, Khan encouraged business leaders to explore investment opportunities in its diverse socio-economic sectors.
“The prime minister assured maximum facilitation to the Chinese business companies for doing business in Pakistan,” a statement released by Khan’s office read on Saturday.
Additionally, Khan appreciated the business ventures of the Chinese companies in Pakistan particularly the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
“He shared his socio-economic reform agenda with the Chinese business leaders and expressed satisfaction over the progress on projects under the CPEC,” the statement added.
The Chinese business leaders, on their part, expressed gratitude for the support extended by Pakistan to companies in the hydropower, renewable energy, construction and infrastructure development sectors.
“The executives expressed their desire to further invest in Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors,” the statement added.
Earlier on Saturday, Khan and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang signed 15 agreements and memorandums of understanding in Beijing, pledging stronger cooperation in fields such as poverty alleviation, agriculture, industry and science.