- PM promises to end bureaucratic obstacles, ensure rapid relief.
- Shehbaz assures top security for Chinese citizens in Pakistan.
- CPEC 2.0 shifts focus to B2B investments in key sectors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday assured that Chinese investors should remove all bureaucracy -HIK in investment procedures as Pakistan and China business companies signed 21 memorandum conditions worth $ 4.2 billion worth in different areas.
The Prime Minister revealed a bold new vision for Pakistan-China’s financial cooperation and announced the formal launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor “CPEC 2.0” at his main address at the other Pakistan-China B2B investment conference held in Beijing.
Welcome high -level delegates he described the forum as a reflection of the iron -clad fraternity between Pakistan and China.
The Prime Minister, by tackling the concerns of bureaucratic delays, issued the prime minister a clear and direct message: “We will not tolerate a second delay. I recently ensured that a Chinese entrepreneur was relieved within 24 hours. It is the level of commitment I am talking about.”
He reassured the Chinese delegation of Pakistan’s unwavering obligation to investor facilitation and said that Chinese investors will be treated as partners and that “Pakistan is your second home, just as China is ours.”
Security for Chinese citizens in Pakistan, he said is a highest priority and added: “The security of Chinese citizens is most important.
“This is one of the biggest business conferences I’ve attended during my visit to this great country.
Our relationship with China is unmatched, higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the deepest oceans, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel, “the prime minister said.
With reference to the CPEC agreement, signed in 2015 during President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz credited the first phase of CPEC to transform Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure landscape.
“We stood up to 20 hours of power outages daily. Today, thanks to President Xis Dynamic and Visionary Management, Pakistan Energi became self -sufficient. It was the turning point,” he noted.
The premiere announced the launch of CPEC 2.0, which will shift focus on business-to-business (B2B) investments in agriculture, IT and AI, minerals and industrial relocation.
“Our agricultural sector employs 60% of our population. China has distinguished itself in this area and we are looking for your partnership to modernize our agricultural practice and increase exports,” he called on Chinese investors.
He emphasized the role of special economic zones (SEZs) in attracting investments and offering competitive advantages as cheaper qualified labor and joint ventures to produce high quality export goods.
In an emotionally charged segment of his speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz told his first visit to China in 1982. “Even then, I said China is suffering from success, not failure. Today, China is the second largest economy and a global military power after lifting over 700 million people out of poverty.
“This is the model I want to borrow and replicate in Pakistan,” he said.
He praised President XI’s leadership of promoting multilateralism and shared prosperity and said China has changed the fate of many nations, a testimony to its “visionary and dynamic leadership”.
In his closing remarks, he repeated his willingness to transform Pakistan’s economic landscape.
“We know the path is difficult but not impossible. With China’s support and our commitment, we will make Pakistan a strong and vibrant economy. Let today mark the beginning of that journey.”
Chinese and Pakistani investors, government officials and dignitaries, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the ambassador of Pakistan to China Khalil Hashmi, and chairman of China Council for promoting international trade, federal ministers and others were present in the apartment.
