BEIJING: Pakistan participated as the Guest of Honor in the 11th China (Sichuan)-South Asia aand Southeast Asia Business Leaders (SSABL) Summit held in Chengdu, the capital of China’s southwestern province Sichuan.
The South Asia-China Business Council Sichuan Liaison Office was unveiled at the Summit, which will integrate the province into China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It is learnt that apart from trade and economic events, the Office will also provide all-round assistance and guidance in terms of legal affairs, policies, and information to Pakistani enterprises in Sichuan.
“We are proud of our special relations with the province of Sichuan and the city of Chengdu, said Moin ul Haque, Ambassador of Pakistani Embassy in China in his speech.
He reviewed the long-standing partnership with Chengdu, an important economic, financial, commercial, and transportation hub in western China known as the city of gastronomy, home of giant pandas, and centre for research and innovation.
Chengdu harbors the Pakistani consulate-general established in 2007 and the China-Pakistan joint project of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft. Sichuan and Chengdu have also formed sister ties with Punjab and Lahore respectively, media reported.
Ambassador Haque also expressed his confidence in identifying new opportunities and areas of cooperation in the Chengdu-Chongqing dual city zone, which is creating a business-friendly ecosystem for traders and high-tech enterprises. In particular, the smart industry including the digital economy and e-commerce was emphasized.
Iftikhar Ali Malik, President of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chambers of Commerce and Industry described the friendship between Pakistan and China “as pure as crystal.”
He recognized that South Asian countries are facing challenges in poverty alleviation and industry upgrading.
In this regard, he invited investors to visit and establish ties with South Asian countries.
Along with the summit, the Annual Meeting of China-Pakistan Business Council has been hosted. A photo exhibition was staged to showcase the achievements of the Pak-China cooperation.
The summit, themed Opportunities, Connectivity, and Cooperation, is hosted by CCPIT, Sichuan government and provincial CPC Committee, SAARC, and ASEAN-China Centre and aims to broaden the scope of connectivity between Sichuan Province and South and Southeast Asian countries.
Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre, Ke Liangdong, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and Deng Xiaogang, Deputy Secretary of CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee also addressed the summit. –Agencies
