LAHORE, Nov 26: Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Sunday that the strategic partnership between China and Pakistan is growing through increased economic cooperation.

"China attaches great importance to economic relations with Pakistan," he said while speaking at the inauguration of Haier-Ruba Economic Zone at Haier plant in Manga Mandi, 40km before leaving for home at the end of his four-day visit to Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan was rapidly transforming into a major market economy as well as a world class manufacturing and servicing hub of the region.He said that economic growth in Pakistan opened avenues for Chinese entrepreneurs. With China emerging as an exporter of capital, there were huge win-win opportunities for both sides, he said.

“The Free Trade Agreement and the joint five-year economic plan provide a conducive environment for our private sectors to collaborate for mutual benefit,” he said."We have created an investor-friendly environment in Pakistan and offer vast investment opportunities in energy, oil, gas, mining, engineering, automobile, infrastructure development, information technology and telecom, financial and agriculture sectors to name a few. We also have a sound and transparent privatisation programme," he said.

The prime minister said during the last seven years, Pakistan had implemented broad-based structural reforms and put its economy on a high growth trajectory. He said per capita income of the country had risen substantially and there had been a significant reduction in poverty.—APP