Imran to woo investors on maiden visit to China
KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL EXPO ON NOVEMBER 5 WILL BE HIGHLIGHT
After receiving support guarantees worth $6 billion (Dh22 billion) from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to visit China for three days from November 2.
According to a government spokesperson and senior officials, Pakistan is going to give a guarantee to Beijing that the ongoing infrastructure and energy projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would continue, and Islamabad would ensure its smooth and timely completion.
In return, the government would expect a support package from the Chinese side similar to that extended by Saudi Arabia.
A senior Pakistani official, speaking to Gulf News on condition of anonymity, said although it would be premature to say what would be the outcome of Imran’s visit, the Chinese government had assured Pakistan of all possible assistance. Not only is the relief expected in the shape of easy loans, but also a number of agreements worth billions of dollars in energy, infrastructure, real estate, industry and other sectors are likely to be announced during the Pakistan premier’s visit, the official said.
Since 2015, when the CPEC was unveiled while the Nawaz Sharif government was in power, China has continued to be the number one investor in Pakistan and Chinese companies are working on a number of projects in highways, power plants, flyovers and IT sector, he said.
Recent reforms
The highlight of Imran’s China visit is going to be his keynote address at the Shanghai International Expo on November 5. The Chinese government has devoted to Pakistan a session titled ‘Emerging Pakistan’. The session will be attended by top Chinese companies and investors and Imran is expected to convince them to take advantage of the business and investment-friendly environment opportunities in Pakistan and seek investments in the country.
Meanwhile, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, while briefing journalists on Friday about Imran’s impending visit, said there was enthusiasm on the part of the Chinese leadership and the people of China to listen to Imran during his visit and learn more about his reforms programme.
“The recent reforms in various socioeconomic sectors of
‘Naya’ Pakistan or New Pakistan and the positive changes in administration and governance are what we want to hear from Prime Minister Imran Khan,” Yao said.
China, he said, valued relations with Pakistan and invested billions of dollars in the country at a time when no other country was ready to do so.