Pakistan has an enduring, multi-dimensional and deep-rooted relationship with China. The long-standing ties of friendship between the two countries are underpinned by mutual trust and confidence, Mahfooz Elahi has said, addressing a business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The President said that we greatly welcome Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s planed to Pakistan along with a large businessmen delegation. It will further enhance the economic and trade cooperation between two brotherly and friendly countries. 

He said that a number of agreements, worth millions of dollars, in different sectors including energy, infrastructure, engineering, software technologies, telecom, furniture, real estate & tourism, mineral and mining, chemicals and printing, automobile, agriculture and food processing, water, industry and defence are expected to be signed during the Premier’s visit.

The President said Pakistan is an agro based country, agriculture productivity is not up to the mark due to use of traditional measures. We are looking forward to China to give technology assistance and modernized facilities to coop the prevailing issue.

He believed that establishment of industrial facilities and up gradation of communication infrastructure besides boosting trade between the two countries will also enhance regional connectivity.

Mahfooz Elahi appreciated the Presidency level meeting between both countries to resolve Pakistan’s energy crisis through development of hydel, thermal and solar energy projects in Pakistan. Chasma project subsequently resumed as a cooperative project between Pakistan and the China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation.

China and Pakistan have witnessed steady growth in mutual investments in recent years. Trends of trade are very positive as volume of bilateral trade has increased exponentially. In the last few years, investment of more than 1.3 billion USD was made by China in Pakistan, he opinioned.

He said that the combined effect certainly will be Pakistan’s economic revival. Improved relations with China will also contribute towards Pakistan’s security in the changing regional geo-political environment.