{"id":4452,"date":"2026-05-24T11:06:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T11:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=4452"},"modified":"2026-05-24T11:06:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T11:06:15","slug":"pm-shehbaz-highlights-agriculture-it-and-mining-as-pillars-of-pakistan-china-cooperation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=4452","title":{"rendered":"PM Shehbaz highlights agriculture, IT and mining as pillars of Pakistan-China cooperation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HANGZHOU: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday highlighted four major sectors with significant potential for cooperation between Pakistan and China during his official visit to China.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The premier arrived in Hangzhou on Saturday to begin a four-day official visit. During the trip, he is also scheduled to visit Beijing, where meetings with the top Chinese leadership are expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference in Hangzhou, PM Shehbaz identified agriculture, information technology (IT), Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and mines and minerals as the four key areas for expanding bilateral cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Describing Pakistan as \u201cbasically an agrarian economy\u201d, the prime minister said around 1,000 Pakistanis who received advanced agricultural training in China last year had now returned home and were \u201cdoing a great job\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stressed the need for both countries to move forward together by improving per-acre crop yields, introducing high-quality seeds, promoting modern agricultural practices, and expanding mechanisation to transform Pakistan\u2019s agriculture sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChina imports every year about $100 billion worth of agricultural products from abroad,\u201d PM Shehbaz said. \u201cPakistan\u2019s share is just a fraction \u2026 We will be able to produce agricultural products as per your requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The premier said enhanced cooperation could generate massive employment opportunities in Pakistan\u2019s rural areas while also encouraging value addition through the development of hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs capable of exporting products to China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the next five to seven years, we expect that we can increase our agricultural product trade to China by about $10bn,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd this is not a big task. It can be done, it is possible, not difficult at all \u2014 but we need your support,\u201d the prime minister added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlighting the potential of Special Economic Zones, PM Shehbaz pointed out that Karachi\u2019s SEZ covers more than 6,000 acres. He said the government would provide all essential facilities and infrastructure to encourage joint investments by Pakistani and Chinese businessmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou will be offered a red carpet treatment,\u201d he said, assuring investors that land would be provided on long-term leases under highly attractive terms and conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will have a world-class SEZ, and then that model will be replicated elsewhere in Pakistan through your great contribution,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The premier also noted that labour costs in China had risen considerably as the country moved towards higher industrialisation. He invited Chinese companies to enter into joint ventures with Pakistani entrepreneurs in industries where rising labour expenses had reduced China\u2019s competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to PM Shehbaz, products manufactured through such partnerships could then be exported to third countries, creating a \u201cwin-win\u201d situation for businesses from both nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis will be \u2026 a roaring success in times to come, whether it\u2019s textile or leather or other areas,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also invited Chinese investors to visit Karachi\u2019s export zone to explore investment opportunities firsthand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBe our guest; we\u2019ll play host to you, and you\u2019ll have great opportunities to understand business propositions,\u201d the premier said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PM Shehbaz further highlighted the vast potential of Pakistan\u2019s IT and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors, along with the country\u2019s extensive reserves of minerals and gemstones, encouraging Chinese investors to invest in mining and technology ventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concluding his address, the prime minister said Pakistan was seeking \u201cexpertise, experience, investments \u2014 not loans, not aid, not handouts\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHandouts [and] aid never made a nation vibrant, never made a nation stand on its own feet,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The premier also praised the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and reiterated the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conference focused on sectors including IT and telecommunications, battery energy storage systems, and agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, cooperation agreements, investment deals, and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Pakistani and Chinese companies are expected to be signed and exchanged during the conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business forum was organised to promote cooperation between companies from both countries under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his stay in Hangzhou, PM Shehbaz is also expected to meet executives of leading Chinese firms and visit the headquarters of Alibaba Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring the visit, cooperation agreements between Alibaba and the Government of Pakistan will be signed,\u201d Radio Pakistan reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Beijing on Sunday along with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dar was received at Beijing airport by Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a post on X, Dar said he would participate as chief guest on behalf of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in the 2nd Pakistan-China Political Parties Forum and the 4th CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism alongside IDCPC Minister Liu Haixing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delighted to have arrived in Beijing, China, accompanied by Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, brother Ahsan Iqbal @betterPakistan<\/a>.

We were warmly received at Beijing airport by Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/yStL12gQTC<\/a><\/p>— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 24, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>