Haroon stresses need for expanding economic ties with China

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has emphasised the need for further expanding economic cooperation with China through business-to-business (B2B) partnerships, joint ventures, investment, technology transfer, and people-to-people contacts.

He remarked this during a meeting with a delegation of the Dongguan Ganzhou Chamber of Commerce, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening economic and business ties with China.

The meeting was attended by the President of the Dongguan Ganzhou Chamber of Commerce, Special Secretary Industries Ahsan Ali Mangi, and Joint Secretary Freedoon Akram Sheikh.

Khan added that the remarkable progress achieved by China under its visionary leadership offers valuable lessons and opportunities for Pakistan, and the recently held B2B conference on Pharmaceutical and healthcare sector in Islamabad will help further cement the bilateral relations with Chinese companies starting joint setups with Pakistani counterparts.

Haroon Akhtar Khan said that Pakistan and China have already signed numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and efforts are now underway to move these agreements into the implementation phase. He emphasized the importance of translating bilateral commitments into tangible investment, production, and employment opportunities.

He said Pakistan is entering a new phase of industrial transformation and that this is an opportune time for Chinese investors to explore the country’s growing investment potential. The government, he added, is working to transform Pakistan into a global manufacturing hub and an attractive investment platform.

He said that the leadership of both countries has brought Pakistan and China closer than ever before and highlighted significant opportunities for cooperation in battery energy storage, solar and renewable energy, electric vehicles, and modern technologies integrated with Artificial Intelligence.

He said these emerging sectors offer considerable potential for joint investment, technology cooperation, and industrial development between the two countries.

Highlighting the government’s reform agenda, Haroon Akhtar said practical measures are being undertaken to facilitate investors and the business community. He particularly mentioned the recently introduced Regulatory Guillotine reforms, aimed at eliminating unnecessary regulations, reducing red tape, and making it easier to do business in Pakistan.

The Chinese delegation briefed the SAPM on business opportunities in various sectors and the activities and initiatives of the Dongguan Ganzhou Chamber of Commerce. The delegation expressed interest in exploring opportunities for enhanced business and investment cooperation with Pakistan.

Haroon Akhtar assured the delegation of the government’s full support and facilitation for strengthening Pakistan-China economic relations and encouraged Chinese businesses to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026