Mr. Zhang Yujing, Chairman of CCCME,

Distinguished Guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon

I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) for inviting me to this roundtable. 

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of attending CCCME’s New Year reception, where I had the opportunity to connect with many outstanding Chinese companies making remarkable contributions globally. 

I would also like to thank CCCME for its invaluable support for the Surgical and Medical Equipment Matchmaking Conference held in January 2024 in Beijing. This partnership signals the immense potential for further collaboration in the areas of green development and digital transformation.

Trade and Investment ties have now become one of central planks of our All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China. As a country and as an Embassy, we strive to forge meaningful connections between Pakistani and Chinese enterprises. Since the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister to China in June 2024, we have successfully conducted a series of roadshows across various sectors, further strengthening our bilateral ties. To date, we have hosted one Shenzhen Conference and six roadshows, focusing on industries such as fisheries, textiles, leather, agriculture, and medical equipment. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

All of this is being done with a view to contribute towards Pakistan’s economic development. However, as we move forward to the next phase of our progressive trajectory, we are fully cognizant of following a pattern that is lean and green!

Right now, Pakistan is facing major challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, and energy shortages. Addressing these issues head-on, the Government of Pakistan has made green development a core pillar of our national strategy. Our goal is to drive economic transformation through renewable energy, clean technologies, and sustainable infrastructure.

In the energy sector, we are prioritizing renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, and hydropower. Our target is to increase the share of renewables in our energy mix to 60% by 2030. This will help reduce carbon emissions while ensuring a more reliable and sustainable energy supply for our industries and households.

Simultaneously, Pakistan is embracing digital transformation as a key driver of economic growth. As global digitalization accelerates, we are focusing on enhancing ICT infrastructure to improve economic efficiency, public services, and innovation. Our “Digital Pakistan” vision aims to create a more connected society through high-speed internet, e-governance, and digital finance. With over 60% of our population under the age of 30, we are investing in education and training to cultivate the next generation of digital experts.

Pakistan seeks to strengthen cooperation with China in green development through:

Firstly, through Renewable Energy Projects: China is a global leader in solar and wind energy technologies. We invite Chinese companies to participate in our renewable energy projects, particularly in solar and wind power. This applies to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as well, which is a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative. As we move towards the next phase of China-Pakistan CPEC, we have envisaged it to develop as a corridor of Green Development.

Secondly, through Green Technology Transfer: We are eager to introduce advanced clean technologies from China through technology transfer and joint R&D initiatives.

Thirdly, we aim to adapt China’s best practices for developing Sustainable Infrastructure: Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, we aim to promote green infrastructure, including smart transportation systems and low-carbon urban projects.

On the digital transformation front – a major plank of green development as well, we hope to deepen collaboration in:

1.5G and Communication Technologies: China’s leadership in 5G presents an invaluable opportunity for Pakistan. We are keen to collaborate with Chinese companies to advance 5G deployment in our country.

2.Digital Finance and E-commerce: China’s success in digital payments and e-commerce provides crucial insights for Pakistan. We aim to leverage China’s expertise to expand digital finance and e-commerce in our markets.

3.Artificial Intelligence and Big Data: China’s advancements in AI and big data offer vast opportunities. We look forward to partnering with Chinese companies to apply these technologies in smart cities and public services.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Green development and digital transformation are the realities in the world of today. It is pivotal not only for Pakistan’s future but also for global economic progress. By strengthening cooperation with China in these areas, we are confident that Pakistan will achieve sustainable development and economic prosperity.

In this spirit, I would like to extend a formal invitation to CCME to collaborate with the Embassy of Pakistan in organizing two main forums that we are planning in coming months:

-A Joint Solar Panel Manufacturing Event in Yangzhou, aimed at advancing renewable energy technologies and fostering partnerships in solar energy production.

-An ICT Event in Beijing during CIFTIS (China International Fair for Trade in Services), focused on promoting digital transformation and exploring opportunities in 5G, AI, and digital finance.

These events will further strengthen the ties between our nations and create new pathways for collaboration. I look forward to working closely with CCCME, Chinese enterprises, and government agencies to build a greener, digitally advanced future.

I thank you