Pakistan seeks ASEAN states’ investment in SEZs

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged the China and ASEAN member states to benefit from the opportunities being offered in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country.

Pakistan's Ambassador in Beijing, Moin-ul-Haque while speaking at the Trade and Investment conference in Nanning, China, said that Pakistan is rich in natural resources and mineral resources which are still untapped, said a press statement issued on Sunday.

He said the incumbent government is establishing special economic zones for investments and all facilities are being provided to investors through one window operation.

He highlighted Pakistan’s special relations and comprehensive strategic partnership with China and the deep-rooted and wide-ranging links with ASEAN countries.

He said Pakistan has a strategically located sharing borders with China, India, Iran, and Afghanistan. It rests at the crossroads of South and Central Asia, West Asia, and connects China with the Arabian Sea. “So, it is becoming a very important regional connectivity hub, as well as a central place of trade and commercial activities,” he added.

Haque said that Pakistan is the sixth-largest country in the world in terms of population, offering a market of 210 million people and has a very strong and flourishing agriculture and livestock sector.

As with many countries, Pakistan is the scene of the fastest growing service sector, which now contributes more than 50 percent to national gross domestic product (GDP) and a
very attractive investment regime. He informed the investors that the government has recently undertaken many reforms and to liberalise its economic and financial sectors, both for domestic and international investors.

Haque expressed the confidence that Chinese investors would take advantage of this golden opportunity to increase trade linkages with Pakistan and also to make profitable investments in Pakistan as well as the special economic zones which were being established across the country.

He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Commerce of China and the CAEXPO Secretariat for giving full representation to Pakistan in this year’s session.