Guangzhou, December 14, 2024: On the sixth day of her China visit, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired an investment conference in Guangzhou, showcasing her dedication by working even on a holiday. Over 60 representatives from leading companies in China and Hong Kong participated, representing sectors like health, artificial intelligence, agriculture, IT, waste management, and solar energy.
Maryam Nawaz announced several initiatives to streamline investments, including the establishment of a working group, appointment of a focal person, and the creation of a help desk. She also introduced plans for a one-window operation to ease business processes, emphasizing Punjab’s status as a “land of opportunities” for global investors.
Encouraging Chinese partnerships
Key Chinese firms delivered presentations on their operations and provided input on enhancing Pakistan-China free trade. The chief minister invited Chinese technology companies to expand into Punjab, which elicited keen interest from many participants. She highlighted Punjab’s economic and strategic importance, presenting it as a gateway to Central Asia, the Middle East, and global markets.
Maryam Nawaz also outlined Punjab’s investment potential in renewable energy, agriculture, and IT. She emphasized efforts to modernize agriculture through mechanization and collaboration in hybrid seed development, machinery manufacturing, and food processing. In the IT sector, she called for partnerships in e-commerce, incubator centers, and e-learning while highlighting the Nawaz Sharif IT City as a future hub for innovation.
Environmental and renewable energy initiatives
The conference lauded Punjab’s “No to Plastic” campaign, aimed at reducing environmental harm. Maryam Nawaz reiterated her administration’s commitment to banning the production and use of harmful plastics, aligning with broader environmental goals under the “Clean Punjab” initiative. She discussed renewable energy projects, including windmills, solar energy, and waste-to-energy conversion, underscoring Punjab’s growing demand for affordable energy solutions.
In healthcare, the chief minister expressed interest in adopting China’s advanced telemedicine technologies to improve medical accessibility in Punjab.
Smart city collaboration with Huawei
In a significant development, Maryam Nawaz visited Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen to discuss making Lahore Pakistan’s first modern smart city. Collaborating with Huawei, she proposed establishing an office in the Nawaz Sharif IT City and after-sales service centers across Punjab.
The discussions covered e-commerce, ICT infrastructure, and the digitization of health and education sectors. Maryam Nawaz also assured Huawei of her administration’s full support in setting up an assembly and manufacturing plant in Punjab.
Maryam Nawaz concluded by highlighting the potential of Punjab’s skilled youth and innovative industries in sectors like bio and hydrogen technologies. She encouraged Chinese companies to seize the current investment opportunities in Punjab, reaffirming the strong ties between Pakistan and China.
“This is the best time for Chinese companies to invest in Punjab,” she emphasized, reflecting optimism about fostering long-term economic partnerships.
