AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, June 21, 2013 (PPI-OT): Pakistani entrepreneurs should take active participation in the 14th Western China International Fair (WCIF) being held in Chendu, Sichuan Province of China from 23th to 27th October 2013 and promote their business interests. A large number of entrepreneurs from other countries will come to the Fair and thus it offers Pakistan businessmen tremendous opportunities of developing networking and business contacts with foreign counterparts.
This was said by Mr. Gan Lin, Vice Governor of Sichuan Province of China during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with a 9 member delegation of Sichuan Province officials.
Mr. Gan Lin said that their visit is a follow up of recent visit of Chinese Prime Minister Mr. Li Keqiang to Pakistan to make further progress on the plan of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which aims at promoting long-term economic cooperation between the two countries.
He said Chinese people and government have special sentiments of love and friendship for Pakistan and China would soon commence direct flights between Sichuan and Islamabad to further promote business relations and people-to-people contacts. Sichuan has already direct air link with Karachi.
He said Sichuan is emerging as one of the most industrialized provinces of China with a strong industrial base and GDP of US$ 380 billion. It now wants to play a bigger role for promoting Pak-China bilateral trade and stressed on Pakistani entrepreneurs to explore Sichuan for promoting trade and exports.
In his welcome address, Mr. Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that China is the only country for which Pakistani nation has great trust and exemplary warm feelings.
He termed China’s friendship like a caring mother for Pakistan and a role model economy and said that we always look towards China for increased cooperation in all areas. However, he said that Pak-China bilateral trade of US$ 12-billion is still far below their true potential as China enjoys bilateral trade of more than US$ 300 billion with Japan, US$ 200 billion with South Korea and US$ 80 billion with India. Therefore, we need to work together more vigorously to improve trade relations between the two countries, he stressed.
He said Pakistan is facing acute energy shortage and emphasized that more Chinese companies should come to invest in Pakistan’s energy sector, especially in cheap energy sources like hydro, coal and nuclear etc. He was of the view that enhanced cooperation in energy sector would produce tremendous benefits for both countries.
Zafar Bakhtawari said Chinese investors have great potential in other sectors of Pakistan’s economy as well with particular focus on exploration of oil and gas and mineral sources and they should explore these areas for investment. He appreciated the China’s approach of making friendship with other countries through business.
He affirmed that ICCI would join hands with Sichuan Province in all initiatives aimed at further expanding trade and economic relations between Pakistan and China and assured the Vice Governor that ICCI delegation would participate in 14th Western China International Fair for tapping new prospects in the fields of trade, commerce and joint ventures.
For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk