BEIJING, Nov 30: Pakistan will hold a business conference in Shanghai on December 17 on the eve of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's upcoming visit to China.

It would be the second such conference in the city, being arranged in collaboration with China's Council for Promotion of International Trade.

Earlier, similar conferences were held in Guangzhou and Beijing, addressed by President Pervez Musharraf. These conferences proved very successful, attracting foreign investment as well as promoting bilateral trade.

Officials told APP that representatives from major Chinese companies would attend the Shanghai's conference, besides a business delegation from Pakistan that would accompany the prime minister during the visit.

They are expecting joint ventures in textile, automobile, chemical and mineral sectors, as a follow-up of the conference. Negotiations to this effect are already underway.

According to the officials, the two countries had bright prospect to enhance economic ties. Over 40 Chinese companies have established permanent offices in Pakistan that reflects growing interest, strengthening their economic partnership. -APP