QUETTA: Chinese investors were told about huge investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly Balochis­tan, at a webinar organised by the Con­sulate General of Pakistan in Shanghai on Tuesday.

The webinar on trade and investment opportunities in the country was hosted by Pakistani Consul General in Shanghai Hussain Haider and attended by CEO of Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade Farman Zarkoon, Vice President of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Ye Yuhua, President of Sialkot Chambers of Commerce and Industry Qaisar Baryar and St Fulin Group senior partner Echo Lee. Chinese investors and representatives of business fraternity also participated.

Mr Haider gave a presentation about the investment potential of Pakistan, saying that the country had a liberal trade regime and freely allowed import and export of all products. He said that there were strong reasons for investing in Pakistan, including its large market size, skilled labour force and strategic location.

“Pakistan is the sixth largest country in the world and therefore one of the biggest markets in the world,” he said. “The size of its labour force is about 70 million and lastly, the country is located between three major regions of the world — South Asia, East Asia and Middle East — which is a great advantage for investors.”

Mr Zarkoon described the importance of trade relations between Pakistan and China and highlighted investment opportunities in Baloch­istan. He said that the Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade provided a business-friendly environment to investors by removing barriers.

Given the importance of Gwadar port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said, the province was a suitable region for investment. “Its importance has been enhanced by the wide range of investment opportunities it offers in different sectors such as agriculture, energy, fisheries, tourism and mines and minerals, to name a few.”

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2020