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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
'China desks' proposed to woo investors
Listen to article The Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening institutional linkages aimed at enhancing industrial cooperation and promoting bilateral economic progress under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. In a statement, PCJCCI President Nazir Hussain emphasised that the chamber was fully aligned with the broader vision of industrial development and stood ready to act as a dynamic platform for fostering Pakistan-China collaboration. He underlined the dire need to establish dedicated "China desks" at various public organisations across Pakistan. These desks will act as centralised facilitation points to provide Chinese investors and enterprises with streamlined access to regulatory support, project guidance and business services. Having China desks embedded within public institutions would significantly improve investor confidence, reduce procedural delays and align stakeholders around shared industrial goals. PCJCCI Senior Vice President Brigadier (Retd) Mansoor Saeed Sheikh said, "We aim to integrate private-sector strengths with enabling policy frameworks. This will not only attract greater Chinese investment but also support industrial modernisation across key sectors in Pakistan." He noted that PCJCCI would play a proactive role in facilitating access to Chinese green technologies and promoting eco-industrial transformation in the country. PCJCCI Vice President Zafar Iqbal highlighted the longstanding industrial partnership between Pakistan and China and said "we believe in enhancing practical linkages that lead to innovation, value addition and long-term economic impact." Joint ventures between Pakistani and Chinese companies would be encouraged in sectors such as engineering, agro-processing, renewable energy and electric vehicles. Innovation hubs and pilot industrial projects would also be explored, he stressed. Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif stated that coordination and institutional synergy were the key to driving progress. In this regard, PCJCCI is working towards launching joint working groups, policy roundtables and industrial matchmaking sessions. "The chamber continues to serve as a vital bridge between Pakistani industries and Chinese enterprises, with a focus on enabling investment, promoting technology transfer and enhancing competitiveness in strategic sectors," he said. "It remains committed to facilitating structured dialogue, business matchmaking and project development that will contribute to Pakistan's sustainable industrial growth and regional economic integration."
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PCJCCI underscores vast potential of food-processing sector
LAHORE: The Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCJCCI) today underscored the vast potential of Punjab's food processing sector as a cornerstone for bilateral economic collaboration and export growth under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during a think tank session held at PCJCCI Secretariat. Nazir Hussain, President PCJCCI emphasized Punjab's unmatched agricultural capacity, inviting deeper Chinese investment and technology transfer to strengthen value-addition and foreign exchange earnings. He further added that Punjab cultivates 57% of Pakistan's total cropland over 17 million hectares which supports 80% of the nation's wheat and 95% of citrus, 82% of guava, and 66% of mangoes. Brig. Mansoor Saeed Sheikh (retd) Senior Vice President PCJCCI said that the province contributes nearly 19% to national GDP, making its economy the largest of any Pakistani region. He highlighted that Punjab's food processing industry stands on the cusp of a transformative expansion—leveraging its massive raw agricultural output, strategic location, CPEC's infrastructural momentum, and access to Chinese technology and capital. With targeted policy support and international certification standards, the sector is poised to drive job creation, rural prosperity, and export diversification. Zafar Iqbal, Vice President PCJCCI stressed that more than 2,300 Chinese firms are operating across CPEC linked sectors in Pakistan, signalling strong investor confidence. He further said that CPEC Phase II includes robust cooperation in food processing, postharvest handling, cold storage, and mechanisation. He told that a Chinese agritech group, Sichuan Litong Food Co., plans a 1,000 acre pepper pilot in Multan with local processing plants in Lahore and Multan, targeting a US$3billion annual trade in processed food by 2026. Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI reaffirmed China's strong interest in food sector JVs, emphasizing technology transfer to reduce post-harvest losses and boost exports. He also highlighted opportunities in fruit pulp, frozen concentrates, potato products, vegetable canning, olive and corn oil, IQF and called for leveraging SEZs like Sheikhupura's Quaide Azam Business Park. Promoting modern technologies like IQF freezing, cold chain infrastructure, precision agrimachinery, and seed development can boost the food sector. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Seafood sector: performance highlighted
LAHORE: Pakistan's seafood sector continues to demonstrate resilience and growth, supported by the country's abundant marine resources and increasing international demand. Nazir Hussain, President Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) emphasized the sector's strong export performance and the growing importance of China as a destination for Pakistani seafood products. According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan's seafood exports from July to May (2020-24) stood at $383.088 million; an increase from $373.382 million recorded during the same period in 2019-23. This reflects a year-on-year growth rate of approximately 2.6 percent, despite global economic challenges and fluctuating trade patterns. He added Pakistan is endowed with immense fishing potential, thanks to our 1,000-kilometer-long coastline, diverse aquatic species, and favourable climatic conditions. China has emerged as a pivotal partner in our seafood trade, accounting for a substantial portion of our exports. Brig. Mansoor Saeed Sheikh (retd), Senior Vice President PCJCCI said that China is one of the world's largest consumers and importers of seafood. According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), Pakistan exported around 29% of its total fish and aquatic products to China in 2019 alone. With increasing urbanization and growing consumer demand for high-protein diets, China's seafood imports have surged, creating significant opportunities for Pakistani exporters. Pakistan's geographical proximity, competitive pricing, and abundant supply position it as a natural trading partner for China's seafood sector. Zafar Iqbal, Vice President PCJCCI further highlighted the need for Pakistan's fisheries industry to move toward value-added processing, such as filleting, vacuum-packing, and quick freezing, to capture higher margins in export markets. By investing in modern processing and cold chain infrastructure, we can significantly enhance export revenues and create employment opportunities. There is also rising interest among Chinese investors to establish seafood processing facilities directly in Pakistan. This would reduce logistics costs and improve supply chain efficiency. He added that there is only one factory that has just started working on nitrogen-based quick-freezing ice. This technology helps in maintaining the quality. The product freezes fast. Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI said that Pakistan's government has taken several steps to boost the fisheries sector, including the modernization of fishing harbours, training for fishermen, and subsidies for cold storage and transport. Additionally, the Marine Fisheries Department is working closely with exporters to ensure compliance with international quality standards. Our goal is to position Pakistan not just as a supplier of raw seafood, but as a competitive producer of high-quality, value-added marine products for international markets. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
