China
Minister Ahsan Iqbal Visits Chengdu, China to Strengthen Ties, Meets Pakistani Diaspora. Minister Ahsan Iqbal recently visited Chengdu, China, with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties and meeting the Pakistani diaspora. During his visit, he toured the Chengdu High Tech Development Zone (CDHT), where he engaged with local entrepreneurs and businessmen.
During his visit, Minister Iqbal was given a detailed briefing by Chengdu Municipal leaders and zonal officials about the High Tech Development Zone’s history, development profile, and special policies designed to attract both domestic and foreign investment. Established in 1988, the CDHT is one of China’s first national high-tech zones. As of 2023, the zone boasted a GDP of over USD 43 billion and spanned an area of 237 square kilometers. It includes a financial district, biotechnology city, and a science and technology park. It employs more than 750,000 people and hosting over 4,300 enterprises.
Minister Iqbal expressed his gratitude to the local officials for their detailed briefing. He extended an invitation for them to participate in Pakistan’s development, particularly in Phase-II of CPEC. He emphasized the potential for developing technology parks in Pakistan and welcomed the sharing of Chengdu’s valuable experiences and expertise. The local officials responded positively to this invitation, highlighting the potential for meaningful cooperation.
During his visit, Minister Iqbal also met with Chengdu-based entrepreneurs and businessmen interested in becoming part of CPEC Phase-II. The entrepreneurs provided suggestions on how the Pakistani government could facilitate their operations, attract more investment, create job opportunities for Pakistanis, and boost foreign exchange earnings.
In his interaction with the Pakistani diaspora, the Minister heard about their achievements in Chengdu and their desire to return to Pakistan to contribute positively to its development. This exchange underscored the importance of leveraging the expertise and experience of overseas Pakistanis in national development.
