'Chinese business houses should establish their regional offices in Pak': PM Imran Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday decided to allow Chinese firms to set up ir regional offices in its debt-ridden country. decision by Pakistan ministration comes as a major set back to local and small businesses in country. Khan has assured Chinese investors that his government would give highest priority and provide every possible facilitation to Chinese investors, during a meeting with a delegation of 10 leing Chinese firms, according to reports.

10 Chinese firms have shown business interests in sectors including energy, agriculture, financial sector, and communication. 

"Chinese business houses should establish ir regional offices in Pakistan," Khan said in meeting.

Pakistan continues to rely on China

decision comes at a time when ecomy of Pakistan continues to cripple. ecomic condition of country has furr worsened amid ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Imran Khan-led ministration has a large amount of debt piled after taking loans from or nations and international organisations for bailing itself out and is w struggling to pay m off. Inste of focussing on steps to revive its ecomy and create more jobs for locals, Pakistan government continues to rely on its close ally China for monetary and military support.

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Pak FM visits China

Recently, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi paid a visit to China to discuss bilateral relations and issues of regional and international interests. visit was seen as a desperate attempt by Islamab to secure Beijing's support in a bid to prevent itself from being blacklisted in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meet. FATF is scheduled to be held in October and  meeting will review steps taken by Pakistan in curbing terror funding. Pakistan is currently in its grey list.

About Chinese delegation

Chinese delegation, which participated in meeting, comprised representatives of Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China), China Gezhouba (Group) Pakistan, China Ro and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China Railway Group Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Company Ltd, China Machinery Engineering Corporation and China Mobile Pakistan Limited. Chinese Ambassor to Pakistan Yao Jing and Haier CEO Javed Afridi was also present at meeting, as per reports.

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Meanwhile, Minister for Communication Mur Saeed, Minister for Industries Hamm Azhar, Planning Minister As Umar, Commerce viser Abdul Razak Dawood, Finance viser Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, chairman of Board of Investment Atif R. Bokhari, Chairman of CPEC Authority retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa also attended meeting.

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(With inputs from ANI)