ISLAMABAD: Chinese experts and investors are visiting Pakistan for searching new trade avenues and to explore investment opportunities in Special Economic Industrial Zones (SEZs) in all four provinces of the country.
The delegation of Chinese experts headed by China International Engineering Consultant Corporation (CIECC) Du Zhenli would hold the workshop and meeting in different cities including Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar until October 18, 2017, for reviewing and negotiating on future investment opportunities in Pakistan, Spokesman of Board of Investment (BOI) Shahjahan Shah told APP here on Friday.
The experts would discuss and give a detailed briefing on the successful models of Economic Zones in China besides sharing their expertise with representatives of provincial government officials, he said.
He said the visit of Chinese experts was significant as they would determine its potential for becoming SEZs and Priority Special Economic Zone (PSEZ).
Chinese are investing $ 62 billion in CPEC infrastructure and power, he further said. Spokesman of BOI said in wake of the decisions taken during 6th JCC held in Beijing in December 2016, a delegation of Chinese experts were visiting Pakistan to conduct training and workshops in context of SEZs from October 11-18, 2017.
These workshops were being organised by the BoI, he added. He said the CIECC was a state-owned consulting firm that would carry the final recommendations from its meetings in Pakistan back to the National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) in Beijing.
BOI spokesman said the first round of consultations with the provincial authorities began in Karachi. Replying to a question, he said the Chinese delegation come to “share the experience of development of industrial parks” with local counterparts in Pakistan.
Shahjahan said the team of Chinese experts visited Dhabeji Special Economic Zone on October 13, 2017, which was high on the agenda of Pakistan and China to make it part of the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He said the zone would be developed over an area of 1,000 acres having strategic importance of close of Seaport, Airport and Road and Rail network.
He said the expressions of interest came from investors in different areas including steel, cement, chemicals, garments, logistics and pharmaceuticals.
