More than 50 Chinese companies are set to invest $1.4 billion in various sectors across Sindh, including healthcare, agriculture, food, energy, and fertilizers. This announcement was made by Meng Xiaowei, head of the Chinese delegation, alongside Muhammad Idrees Gigi, CEO of Global Ventures, at a press briefing following the Sindh Investment Conference held on Thursday.
The event, organized in partnership with the Sindh government and Global Ventures, highlighted the strong interest from Chinese firms in investing in the province. Twelve major Chinese companies have already visited key sites in the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as part of the initial phase. The Sindh government has pledged full security for all Chinese investors, ensuring a safe environment for economic collaboration.
Key investments include:
- Medical City in Dhabeji: A state-of-the-art Medical City will be developed on 300 acres near Dhabeji, with an estimated $1 billion investment from Chinese companies. The project, set to unfold in three phases over seven years, will include a research and training center, pharmaceutical production units, and manufacturing facilities for surgical equipment. It will also focus on transferring technology to Pakistan.
- Food Sector Investments: Chinese companies are keen to tap into Pakistan’s food export potential, especially in exporting beef, mutton, and seafood to China. With Pakistan’s involvement, the food import volume to China could reach $5 billion in the next few years.
- Transport Sector Projects: The Sindh government is partnering with Chinese investors to introduce 200 electric buses and 10,000 taxis. Plans for a high-speed train linking Karachi to Sukkur are also in progress, which would reduce travel time between the two cities to just 2.5 hours.
- Fertilizer Production in Thar: A Chinese company plans to set up a fertilizer production facility in Thar using advanced coal-powered technology on 200 acres of land.
- Solar Panel Manufacturing: Chinese investors are set to produce 2.1 million solar panels to provide electricity to underprivileged communities in Sindh, supporting the region’s energy needs.
- Agricultural and Livestock Development: Investments in fertilizers, seeds, and modern agricultural techniques will help enhance productivity in Sindh’s agricultural sector.
At the conference, Gigi mentioned that former President Asif Ali Zardari had assured the Chinese delegation of full cooperation and emphasized China’s critical role in large-scale investments in Pakistan. He also noted that more Chinese companies are expected to arrive in Sindh next month, further accelerating economic growth.
The event began with a seminar on Sindh’s investment climate, with key stakeholders sharing insights on opportunities in the province. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh on Investment and Public-Private Partnerships, Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar, welcomed the delegates, highlighting Sindh’s potential as a top investment destination. Provincial Minister for Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon and Minister for Energy Syed Nasir Hussain Shah also emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting investment and infrastructure development.
