STAFF REPORTER
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have taken another significant step towards deepening economic cooperation as a high-level delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs and investors concluded a multi-sector visit to Pakistan, signalling renewed momentum in bilateral commercial engagement beyond traditional infrastructure-led collaboration.
The visit focused on identifying new investment opportunities in emerging sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, battery technology, construction materials, tourism, healthcare, and industrial manufacturing, reflecting a growing shift towards sustainability, innovation, and value-added economic growth.
The delegation was hosted by PM’s Coordinator on Tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, who played key role in making their visit possible and helped facilitate structured interactions between Chinese delegates and Pakistani business leaders, steering discussions towards a broader investment agenda aimed at positioning Pakistan as a destination for diversified foreign investment.
Addressing the forum, Khan emphasized the need to transform longstanding political goodwill between Pakistan and China into concrete economic outcomes through stronger business-to-business partnerships and institutional mechanisms for long-term cooperation. He described Pakistan as a strategic partner in regional production networks and an emerging hub for industrial collaboration.
A key focus of the discussions was industrial cooperation and technology transfer, with proposals for local manufacturing of solar panels, inverters, lifts, escalators, and electric vehicles to strengthen Pakistan’s domestic industry and reduce reliance on imports.
Participants also explored opportunities for exporting Pakistani construction materials to China, while proposals for establishing a joint builders’ mall and a digital platform connecting construction-sector enterprises in both countries were discussed to improve cross-border commercial integration.
Beyond industry, the forum highlighted growing prospects in tourism and healthcare, including investment in hotels, resorts, medical facilities, and wellness tourism. Chinese delegates expressed particular interest in medical tourism, while Pakistani stakeholders presented existing infrastructure and partnership opportunities in these sectors.
The possibility of launching chartered flights between the two countries also came under discussion as both sides explored ways to enhance tourism flows, facilitate business travel, and strengthen people-to-people connectivity.
On the second day of the forum, held at the Mövenpick Hotel Centaurus Islamabad, around 30 to 35 Chinese entrepreneurs participated in B2B meetings with Pakistani counterparts from hospitality, healthcare, construction, and industrial sectors, focusing on future partnerships and investment opportunities.
In his closing remarks, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said Pakistan’s economic future depends on attracting quality investment grounded in sustainability, innovation, and trust, stressing that continued engagement with Chinese partners would serve as a catalyst for regional economic integration.
The forum concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen institutional cooperation and expand investment frameworks, signalling a new phase of diversification in Pakistan–China economic relations.
