China Economic Net

Islamabad: Federal Minister of Industries and Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar has urged Tajikistan to invest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

Bakhtyar held a virtual interactive session with Sherali Kabir, Minister for Industries and New Technologies. Ismatullo Nasredin, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan and senior officials from both sides also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the sides deliberated upon the framework of industrial sector cooperation between the two countries in view of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s official visit to Tajikistan in couple of days.

Both sides identified six areas of cooperation including textile, mining, leather, food processing, pharmaceuticals and surgical equipments.

The Minister apprised that Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan would be accompanied by delegation of businessmen reflecting each identified sector of cooperation.

He said that presence of business community and industrialists from both sides would help to establish long-term B2B cooperation between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

He also highlighted the Investment-friendly atmosphere of Pakistan and offered the attractive opportunities for foreign investment – especially in the CPEC Special Economic Zones (SEZs) – including joint ventures in priority areas of cooperation.

While speaking with Tajik counterpart, the Minister called for Industrial complementarities and synergies between both countries to energize business to business interaction avenues to expand bilateral trade and industrial development agenda.

The Minister also underscored the vibrant industrial sector of Pakistan along with highly skilled labor force in construction, textiles, leather, footwear, surgical equipment, sports goods, automotive and mobile phones manufacturering and light engineering sectors.

The Minister also apprised the meeting about promulgation of National Electric Vehicles Policy and Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy.

He said that the revised version of Automotive Development Policy and the new National Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Policy would expand Pakistan’s industrial base.

Sherali Kabir, Tajik Minister for Industries, shed light on five years’ plan of Government of Tajikistan for mining and exploration of rare metals, coal and minerals in his country.

He discussed the setting up of free distribution channels along the border of neighborhood and invited Pakistani companies to explore opportunities in increasing trade and financing across the region.

He also expressed the hope for enhancing economic and industrial sector ties between both countries amidst official visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan to Tajikistan.