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The Chinese companies are keen to participate in the Privatisation Program of
Pakistan, which will give impetuous to the efforts being made by the President
Mr. Asif Ali Zardari to bring both the countries more closer and to further
strengthen and increase the existing bonds of friendship, which will usher
into a new ear of friendship and economic interaction between the two
neighboring friendly countries. Mr. Mr. Luo Zhao Hui Ambassador of People’s
Republic of China to Pakistan expressed these views during a meeting with Syed
Naveed Qamar Federal Minister for Privatisation here today.
Syed Naveed Qamar briefed the Chinese envoy regarding the privatisation
program, process, various methods and modes and said that instead of selling
the Public sector entities through strategic sale Pakistan was actively
considering for Public Private Partnership for the expansion in these entities
through brining in fresh investment, improving the quality and efficiency of
services, increasing production, transfer of latest technology and generating
job opportunities.
The Minister said that Pakistan has historical and deep rooted relations with
China having strong foundations laid by the founder of Pakistan Peoples Party
Qauid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and further cemented by Shaheed
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the present PPP led government would further
deepen these relations while in the past our public sector collaboration with
China in Kamra, Saindak, Ghazi Brotha, HMC Taxila, Sports Complex and Gawadar
Deep sea Port projects reflected our close friendly bonds.
He further said that there existed vast potential for Chinese companies to
invest in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy. He stressed upon the
investors of both the countries to work together to explore new avenues and
opportunities to enhance the existing bilateral trade and investment relations
while ensuring the transfer of technology.
The interest being shown by the Chinese companies in the privatisation program
was also an encouraging sign for the development of economic relations between
the two friendly countries, which speaks for Pakistan’s very liberal and
friendly privatisation, investment and trade policies, he added.
Syed Naveed Qamar said that the Chinese people were very close to the hearts
of Pakistani people and investment from China was always welcomed. The
government of Pakistan was taking all steps to encourage and attract foreign
and local investors through an open, fair and transparent privatisation
process by providing level playing field to all, he expressed.
Mr. Luo Zhao Hui Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to Pakistan lauded
the Pakistan’s efforts made towards privatisation of public sector entities
and assured to cooperate further in this direction while currently 20 Chinese
companies were actively engaged in ongoing projects including steel and mines
projects whereas 70 companies have already successfully completed their
projects. The Chinese investors are also interested in the banking, finance
and power sectors. Both the countries needed to bring closer the business and
investors groups to develop public private partnership in various other areas,
he said.
The Chinese Economic & Commercial Counsellor Mr. Zhou Zhencheng and the
Secretary Privatisation Mr. Ahmed Jawad were also present during the meeting.