LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, visited the Chinese Consulate where he met with the newly appointed Consul General of China, Sun Yan. The Provincial Minister congratulated him on his new assignment in Lahore. During the meeting, both sides agreed on the proposal to establish a joint working group between the Industry Department and the Consulate to promote investment. They also agreed to enhance cooperation in various sectors including information technology, electric vehicles (EV), industry, agriculture, and other sectors. The Provincial Minister highlighted investment opportunities in Punjab’s Special Economic Zones and briefed the Consul General regarding Chinese investments in the province. Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister Industries Chaudhry Shafay Hussain stated that big Chinese companies have already invested billions of rupees in different sectors in Punjab. He noted that China’s Vivo mobile company is starting chip frame manufacturing in Pakistan for the first time. He also mentioned a cooperation agreement with Huawei Group to promote modern agriculture. He further informed that China’s Challenge Group, of textile sector, is establishing two new factories in Punjab, which will create approximately 21,000 new jobs. He added that a new industrial estate is bring established near the Salt Range in Quaidabad, where value-added pink salt processing units will be set up. The Minister informed that Special Economic Zones in Punjab offer world-class industrial infrastructure and that new industrial estates are being developed in line with industry needs. He invited Chinese investors to invest in Punjab, assuring them of full facilitation and protection. He reiterated that Pakistan-China friendship is unparalleled, with strong people-to-people ties. “Whether in times of war, peace, floods, earthquakes, or any natural disaster, China has always stood firmly with Pakistan,” he said, adding that bilateral friendship and economic relations will continue to strengthen. Sun Yan expressed that it is an honor for him to be posted in Lahore, describing it as a historic, cultural, and vibrant city. He stated that China highly values its friendship and economic cooperation with Pakistan, highlighting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a excellent example of this partnership. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026