Shafay, Chinese team mull boosting investment

LAHORE:A delegation of Chinese investors called on Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain at Punjab Board of Investment Trade (PBIT) on Thursday.

The delegation was led by Head of China Govt Investment Ms Scarlett Xiang. In the meeting, it was agreed to increase investment and cooperation in health, technical education, agriculture, manufacturing of electric vehicles and other sectors.

Chinese investors showed an interest in setting up an electric car assembling plant in Punjab. The head of Chinese investors’ delegation said that China's Huawei Group will start a programme to provide online training to 300,000 people in Pakistan. An agreement will be made with the federal government and Tevta for the implementation of this programme which will be started from Punjab. Under the Huawei ICT Talent Programme 2024, 260,000 students will be given ICT skill training. Under this programme, 30,000 people will be provided professional and 10,000 government officials with online training in digital economy.

A Chinese investor group has expressed interest in setting up an electric vehicle assembling and chemical plant in Punjab. The China Group will also launch Pakistan Digital Primary Healthcare Improvement Programme. This $300 million programme will be started from Gujrat. Under the programme, 3,000 mobile clinics will be built in Pakistan and in this regard an agreement will be made with the Ministry of Health Punjab.

Under the programme, people in remote and rural areas will get better diagnostic and treatment facilities. The Chinese group will also introduce high-tech technology projects in the agriculture sector in Pakistan.

Shafay said that many Chinese companies have invested on a large scale in Punjab. "We will welcome more Chinese companies in Pakistan and Punjab for health, agriculture, technical education and training programmes.

The Chinese group will set up a Punjab electric vehicle assembling and chemical plant and provide all possible facilities, he added. He said that the labs and courses of Tevta institutes are being upgraded under a phased programme. Solar technology courses have also been introduced in Tevta institutes. CM Punjab has also started air ambulance service in the province, he informed.

The provincial minister said that modern technology will be promoted with the cooperation of China in the agricultural sector. There is a need for cooperation in the seed development programme between Punjab and China. Shafay thanked the Chinese investment group for bringing the Medical City programme in Gujrat. The Chinese delegation included Deputy Chief Huawei Pakistan Mr Ray, MD Mr Hank, CTO Mr Jayson and others. CEO Punjab Investment Board Jalal Hasan, Senior DG Tevta Akhtar Abbas Bharwana and other relevant officers were also present.

Meanwhile, Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Chaudhry Shafay Hussain visited Sundas Foundation, where he met with the patients under treatment and distributed gifts among them. He reviewed the facilities provided to patients in various departments of Sundas Foundation.

Speaking to the media, the provincial minister appreciated the efforts of Sundas Foundation in serving humanity and stated that the foundation's work for society is exemplary, offering hope to the underprivileged and deserving patients.

He pledged full support to help expand the Foundation’s reach and establish centres in every district, so patients suffering from thalassemia and hemophilia can access nearby healthcare facilities.

He also paid tribute to the dedication and hard work of the Foundation’s staff, calling it an outstanding example of service to humanity. Addressing the issue of smog in Punjab, particularly in Lahore, the minister emphasised that every citizen must play a role in combating smog.