ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said that there is need of business-to-business (B2B) cooperation between Pakistan and China, stressing that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II is focusing on industrial development, export growth, technology transfer and greater private-sector investment.
The minister expressed these views during a meeting held at Planning Ministry on Wednesday with a business delegation from Xinjiang, China, led by H.E. Yuan Jianmin, Senior Advisor to the Xinjiang Government.
Ahsan Iqbal urged Chinese investors to establish manufacturing facilities in Pakistan and use the country as a production and export hub for regional and international markets. He emphasised that deeper industrial cooperation and export-oriented investment would help Pakistan move towards higher-value production, create employment opportunities and strengthen its export base under CPEC 2.0.
He emphasised that both countries must remove barriers to trade and strengthen business linkages to make CPEC 2.0 even more successful than its first phase.
He said CPEC 2.0 would prioritise industrial cooperation, mobilisation of Pakistan’s private sector, mining and minerals, information technology, advanced technologies and educational exchanges. Emphasising the importance of export-led growth, he said that an additional USD 7 billion in exports over the next three years could help Pakistan strengthen its economy, generate employment and reduce its reliance on external financial assistance.
Recalling CPEC’s achievements, the minister said that an agreement signed in July 2013 had been transformed into more than USD 25 billion in investment within five years.
H.E. Yuan Jianmin praised Ahsan Iqbal’s longstanding contribution to Pakistan-China economic cooperation, describing him as the torch bearer of CPEC in recognition of his pivotal role in advancing the flagship project.
Yuan Jianmin highlighted opportunities to expand cross-border trade through the Khunjerab Pass, establish a China-Pakistan border trade market and increase Pakistani exports to China. He also identified investment opportunities for Chinese companies in manufacturing, new energy, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, expressing confidence that CPEC 2.0 would deliver substantial results under the leadership of both countries.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to translating the longstanding Pakistan-China friendship into stronger commercial partnerships, increased trade and mutually beneficial investment.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026