Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that Pakistan will soon become China’s companion in the journey of development.
He said Pakistan does not need loans, but skills and investment, adding that Chinese companies should invest in agriculture, information technology, special economic zones, and mines and minerals.
Addressing a ceremony in Hangzhou, the prime minister said Pakistan would soon stand alongside China in the process of development. He said memoranda of understanding worth billions of dollars had been signed with China, and 30 per cent of these agreements had already been converted into contracts.
He said the aim was to take agricultural trade with China to 10 billion dollars annually within five to seven years. A world-class special economic zone spanning 6,000 acres is being developed in Karachi, with a one-window operation and red-carpet treatment to be provided.
He said China imports agricultural goods worth 100 billion dollars annually, and Pakistan has the capacity to supply quality agricultural products in line with Chinese requirements.
Later, the prime minister visited the Alibaba headquarters, where Executive Chairman Joe Tsai welcomed him. Joe Tsai said the prime minister was welcome at the Alibaba headquarters, and praised Pakistan’s role in efforts relating to the Iran–United States ceasefire.
The Alibaba executive chairman said Pakistan had a key role in peace efforts in the region, and noted that important work was being carried out under the leadership of the Prime Minister in the health sector. He said attention to human resources was essential.
