LAHORE, Oct 28 (APP):Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) office-bearers here Wednesday held an important meeting with Chinese Deputy Consul General Mr. Cao Ke and Commercial Vice Consul Mr. Li Hao Teng to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade, strengthen business-to-business cooperation, promote investment and explore new avenues of economic collaboration between Pakistan and China.
LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar, Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani and Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain participated in the meeting and exchanged views on strengthening commercial relations and creating new opportunities for the business communities of both countries.
During the discussion, Mr. Cao Ke said Pakistan-China relations were built on strong historical foundations. He said that the two countries were not only political and defence partners but also important partners in economic cooperation. He said bilateral relations had continued to strengthen over the time, while the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had given these ties a new dimension and opened further avenues for trade, investment and economic collaboration.
The Chinese Deputy Consul General highlighted the importance of continued engagement between the business communities of both countries to translate the longstanding friendship into stronger commercial partnerships. He said that closer cooperation could help businesses explore new opportunities, develop lasting partnerships and contribute to the growth of bilateral economic relations.
LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar said, Pakistan and China enjoyed a trusted and longstanding friendship, providing a strong foundation for expanding economic cooperation. He emphasized that enhanced business-to-business contacts, improved market access and closer institutional coordination could help Pakistani and Chinese enterprises identify new areas of mutual interest.
The participants discussed opportunities to promote bilateral trade in textiles, agricultural products, food processing, minerals, leather and other value-added sectors. They also exchanged views on facilitating Pakistani exporters in accessing the Chinese market and encouraging businesses to explore the potential offered by both economies.
The LCCI President also highlighted the potential for greater Chinese investment in Pakistan through joint ventures, manufacturing, technology transfer and industrial cooperation. He said partnerships between Pakistani and Chinese enterprises could support industrial development, promote modern technologies, enhance production capacity and create employment opportunities.
LCCI Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani emphasized that closer cooperation in value-added manufacturing and other productive sectors could help businesses move beyond traditional trading relationships towards stronger, long-term commercial partnerships. He also encouraged greater interaction between investors, manufacturers, exporters and business associations to identify projects of mutual interest.
The LCCI Vice President proposed regular meetings between LCCI and the Chinese Consulate General, preferably on a quarterly basis, to review progress, explore emerging trade and investment opportunities and discuss issues requiring coordination. He said sustained engagement would provide a useful platform for strengthening business confidence and turning shared economic interests into practical cooperation.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
