ISLAMABAD: Presi­d­ent Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday called on Chi­nese and Australian investors to capitalise on opportunities across various se­c­tors in Pakistan, inclu­d­ing agriculture, trade, economy, and infrastructure.

During a meeting with Luo Zha­o­hui, chairman of the China Inter­national Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), who met Mr Zardari at Aiwan-i-Sadr along with a delegation, the president said Pakis­tan and China enjoyed long-term strategic relations, which needed to be further strengthened in the areas of trade, economy, agriculture, people-to-people contacts, and culture.

According to the Pres­idency, Mr Zardari underlined the need for both countries to continue wor­king together to improve bilateral relations.

The Chinese ambassador to Pak­is­tan, Jiang Zai­dong, Plan­ning Co­m­mi­­ssion Deputy Cha­ir­man Dr Jaha­nzeb Khan, and senior government officials also attended the meeting.

Reiterating Pakistan’s firm commitment to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Presi­dent Zardari said Pakistan accorded immense strategic importance to the multibillion-dollar project and was fully committed to the timely completion of all CPEC projects.

Highlighting the importance of Gwadar Port, he said it would not only promote regional connectivity but also make transpo­r­ting goods to China cost-effective. He also sugge­sted undertaking joint tr­a­ining projects to equip workers with skills considering the Chinese demand.

Mr Luo, the CIDCA chairman, briefed Presi­dent Zardari about the agency’s role in Pakistan’s socio-economic development and its contributions in the health and education sectors. He also underlined the need to promote tourism and agricultural cooperation bet­ween the two countries.

The president expre­ssed grief over the last month’s Bisham suicide bombing, in which five Chinese wor­kers and a local were kill­ed, saying that Pakis­tan would make all-out efforts to provide a safe environment for Chinese workers and investors in Pakistan.

Mr Luo said the enemies of the two countries wanted to harm bilateral relations, but they would never succeed in their designs.

The president thanked the Chinese government for supporting Pakistan and playing a vital role in Pakistan’s economic deve­l­o­pment. He also appreciated CIDCA’s contributions to the rehabilitation of flood-affected people and reconstruction of sch­ools in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa and Sindh, as well as the construction of housing units for lady health workers in Sindh and Balochistan.

Australian high commissioner

In a separate meeting with the high commissio­ner of Australia to Pakis­tan, Neil Hawkins, Presid­ent Zardari said the two countries enjoyed a durable relationship and urged Australian companies to invest in different sectors of Pakistan, including agriculture, agricultural equipment and other tools.

The president expr­e­ssed satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation in the mining and mineral sectors.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2024