ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, held a high-level meeting with a delegation comprising Brigadier Abid Cheema, CEO of The Silicon Village (Pakistan’s largest tax-free technology park) and Executive Director of Business Development at Capital Smart City, along with David Dai, Executive Director of Sino British Regional Development Fund Management Co Ltd.
Senior officials from the Board of Investment (BoI), including Additional Secretary Erfa Iqbal, DG Mehmood Tufail, and SAPM on China, Zafaruddin, also attended the meeting.
The Federal Minister warmly welcomed the distinguished guests and appreciated their interest in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan. The delegation thanked the Minister for taking out dedicated time for an in-depth discussion on future collaboration.
During the meeting, David Dai shared his extensive experience, highlighting his work since the late 1980s and 1990s in facilitating technology transfer initially from the United States to China and now from China to other regions globally. He emphasized that Pakistan holds significant potential in emerging technology sectors, particularly in areas such as computer chip packaging, conductors, green energy chargers, and advanced manufacturing and research.
Brigadier Abid Cheema briefed the Minister on the ongoing developments at The Silicon Village, including Pakistan’s first tax-free technology zone and the establishment of the country’s first AI-powered data centre. The Minister appreciated these pioneering initiatives and termed them landmark achievements for Pakistan’s technology landscape.
Dai further informed that their company operates a technology park in China and is considering establishing sister technology parks in collaboration with The Silicon Village in Pakistan. He also expressed keen interest from Chinese investors in lithium-based technologies and potential investments in Southern Pakistan, particularly Karachi, as well as in Pakistan Steel Mills.
The Federal Minister briefed the delegation on ongoing discussions with Russia regarding Pakistan Steel Mills and invited them to visit Karachi to explore opportunities firsthand. He also highlighted the recent discovery of iron ore reserves in Chiniot, underscoring Pakistan’s untapped mineral potential.
The Minister elaborated on the incentives offered under Special Economic Zones (SEZs), including a 9-year income tax exemption and zero import duty on machinery. He reiterated that the Government of Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is actively promoting joint ventures, as reflected in the recent visit to China and MoUs.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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