CPEC Authority hosted a meeting of the Chinese Companies working in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: (Tariq Ullah Wardak)- CPEC Authority hosted a meeting of the Chinese Companies working in Pakistan at its auditorium.  Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Asad Umar, SAPM on CPEC Affairs Khalid Mansoor, Chairman Board of Investment (BOI) and Ambassador of China to Pakistan attended the meeting which was participated by CEOs and representatives of over 70 Chinese companies. A number of companies joined through video link as well.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs briefed the participants on the latest developments with regard to CPEC and stated that Phase-II of the CPEC is aimed to enhance the bilateral cooperation in Industrial, Technological and Agricultural sectors. He said that business to business collaboration would be hallmark of this phase of CPEC.

He highlighted that 4 out of total 9 agreed Special Economic Zones (SEZs) along with Gwadar Free Zone under the auspices of CPEC are at advanced stage of development and investors have started to populate these SEZs. Pakistan offers regionally competitive incentives in SEZs including 10 years income tax exemption and exemption of custom duty on import of capital goods. He further stated that CPEC Authority is setting up a facilitation centre for CPEC investors.

Asad Umar encouraged Chinese investors to explore more investment opportunities in Industrial, Agricultural and Information Technology areas. He said that due to special relationship between Pakistan and China, the Government and people of Pakistan would wish to see much greater investment from China. He solicited the support of Chinese Companies working in Pakistan in order to attract more foreign direct investment from China in the country.

Ambassador of China expressed his appreciation for the event which brought together all the Chinses companies. He said that Chinese enterprises will work closely with CPEC Authority to increase their business and investment activities in Pakistan.

CEOs of various companies also spoke on the occasion and presented their ideas and suggestions for consideration of the Government.