President Zardari invites Chinese investment in priority sectors during China visit

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has invited Chinese investment in Pakistan’s priority sectors, with a particular focus on alternative energy, during his ongoing visit to China, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.

The president arrived in China on Saturday for a week-long visit covering the Hunan and Hainan provinces for engagements linked to economic and trade cooperation, the report said.

During his stay in Sanya, President Zardari met Hangzhou Jinjiang Group Chief Executive Officer Wang Jian and encouraged the Chinese company to invest in priority areas in Pakistan. According to Radio Pakistan, these sectors include alternate energy, water treatment and electric vehicle battery systems.

The report said the president noted that Pakistan was actively promoting foreign investment across a range of sectors, especially water treatment, electric vehicle battery systems and alternate energy.

He said such cooperation could contribute to sustainable growth and industrial development, according to the report.

Radio Pakistan further reported that President Zardari assured the company of all possible facilitation and support in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan.

The meeting took place as part of the president’s broader engagements in China centred on strengthening economic and trade cooperation.

According to the report, the visit spans the Hunan and Hainan provinces and is aimed at advancing business and investment linkages.

The outreach to Hangzhou Jinjiang Group formed part of these efforts, with the president using the meeting to highlight sectors that Pakistan considers important for future investment.

Radio Pakistan said the invitation specifically covered alternate energy, water treatment and electric vehicle battery systems, areas the president identified as priorities for foreign investors.

Such partnerships could support sustainable growth and industrial development,

The report did not provide further details of any agreement or investment commitment following the meeting.

President Zardari’s China visit began on Saturday and is scheduled to continue for a week, with engagements in both Hunan and Hainan related to economic and trade cooperation, according to Radio Pakistan.

The meeting in Sanya with Wang Jian was one of the business-focused interactions reported during the trip, as the president sought to encourage Chinese companies to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s identified priority sectors.