FAISALABAD: The Punjab government is set to set up a club for Chinese investors at the Faisalabad Industrial Park.
Interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced this during a recent visit to the city. Local industrialists appreciated the decision and called it a step in the right direction.
Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) manages the Faisalabad Industrial Estate established by the Government of Punjab.
Many large production units have been set up in the industrial zone, where reliable security and allied facilities are prioritized.
Some Chinese companies have also set up their units in the industrial zone and provide jobs to people living in the surrounding area and other areas.
A Punjab government official said the club was a gift for Chinese friends.
He also said that the Business Facilitation Center to be set up in Faisalabad will provide better facilities for Chinese entrepreneurs. He said the facilitation center will offer a single-window operation and provide Chinese investors with NOCs of various departments under one roof in the shortest possible time.
The official said that the first such center has been established in Lahore.
He said that a Bank of Punjab branch would also be set up in the industrial zone to facilitate businessmen.
Also read: Pakistan exports to South China increases by 16% in 2023
The officer claimed that the authorities had taught the Chinese language to 200 members of the police’s Special Protection Unit (SPU), which was set up solely for the security of the Chinese people. He said the third batch of SPUs were given a Chinese course.
Meanwhile, industrialist Zia Ahmed told WealthPK that Pakistan’s workforce must be equipped with adequate skills to be productive. He said Chinese entrepreneurs could help produce skilled labor locally.
“We need to take more concrete measures to attract Chinese investors to Faisalabad,” Ahmed stressed. He said there was a lesson to be learned from China’s expertise to meet customer needs.
Zia Ahmed said that the exporters of Faisalabad have a huge potential to boost foreign exchange reserves by exporting textile products and wooden furniture. “But they need cheap and smooth electricity and gas supply,” he said, adding that amid the presence of Chinese businessmen in Faisalabad, exporters could hone their business skills.
Muzammal Ali, a textile factory owner, told WealthPK that Chinese entrepreneurs have conquered the market worldwide due to their excellence in research and development. “We need to connect with Chinese entrepreneurs to capitalize on their expertise and boost the economy.”
According to him, the government provides facilities for entrepreneurs, which will surely return and strengthen the national economy.
Ali said that by joining hands, Pakistani and Chinese stakeholders could bring significant economic benefits to both nations. He said that by leveraging each other’s skills, knowledge and strengths, both sides could foster a favorable business environment.
“The way forward for Pakistan to embark on the path of prosperity and growth is to work with Chinese businessmen,” he stressed.
