Pakpattan Chamber Seeks Chinese Collaboration Through PCJCCI Visit

Lahore: The Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) hosted a delegation from the Pakpattan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Lahore, highlighting efforts to bolster regional economic ties and enhance Chinese participation in Pakistan’s emerging business areas.

The delegation, led by Dewan Muhammad Azmat Mehmood Chishti, President of PCCI, included senior members Tanveer Ather Hussain Bukhari and Khalid Raffique Chaudhry. Discussions centered on securing Chinese support for business infrastructure in Pakpattan and identifying cooperative ventures between the two chambers within the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.

Zafar Iqbal, Acting President of PCJCCI, emphasized the chamber’s commitment to expanding its influence beyond major cities to stimulate regional economies like Pakpattan, known for its agricultural output and burgeoning SME sector. He outlined the potential benefits of targeted training, technology transfer, and investment opportunities in partnership with Chinese enterprises.

Dewan Muhammad Azmat Mehmood Chishti underscored Pakpattan’s strategic role in agriculture, food processing, and textiles. He pointed to the area’s robust production of wheat, rice, cotton, and dairy as prime opportunities for joint ventures with Chinese firms, particularly in agro-technology and food processing sectors. He expressed eagerness for Pakpattan to engage in PCJCCI’s broader initiatives, including trade missions to China and regional investment forums.

Khalid Raffique Choudhry proposed joint capacity-building programs focusing on product development, export preparedness, and familiarization with Chinese business practices for local SMEs. He suggested initiating pilot projects with Chinese investors, such as establishing cold storage, drip irrigation, and small-scale textile facilities using Chinese expertise.

Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General of PCJCCI, discussed the potential for a “Pakpattan-China Investment Roundtable,” aiming to attract Chinese interest in rural industrial development and agri-tech. Both chambers agreed to collaborate on entrepreneur training, matchmaking events, and proposals for Chinese investment in South Punjab’s agro-industrial sector.