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By Zafar Hussain

BEIJING, Apr 15 (China Economic Net) - Efforts to deepen Pakistan-China economic cooperation gained momentum this week as business leaders and industry representatives gathered in Ningbo, a key manufacturing and innovation hub in eastern China, for a series of investment-focused engagements.

The visit, organized with support from the Pakistan Consulate General in Shanghai and the IBI Group, featured the Pakistan-China (Ningbo) Industrial Cooperation Summit alongside sector-specific business-to-business (B2B) roundtables in information and communication technology (ICT) and pharmaceuticals.

Addressing the summit, Pakistan¡¯s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi highlighted the country¡¯s strategic advantages for foreign investors, including its geographic connectivity, cost-competitive workforce, investor-friendly policies, and strong government backing for international partnerships. He noted that Pakistan is actively promoting investments across 21 priority sectors as part of its broader economic engagement strategy with China.

Participants also welcomed the announcement by IBI Group to establish a regional office in Islamabad, viewing it as a step toward strengthening institutional and commercial linkages between the two countries. Chinese enterprises were encouraged to participate in upcoming business delegations and matchmaking activities to be held in Pakistan in May, aimed at fostering direct partnerships with local counterparts.

Separate roundtable discussions focused on opportunities in ICT, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, where Pakistani officials outlined facilitation measures, incentives, and collaboration prospects. Attendees were invited to join a series of upcoming Pakistan-China B2B investment conferences, including events on ICT in Hangzhou next month, as well as sectoral meetings on home appliances, electric equipment, and battery energy storage in Lahore in May, and pharmaceuticals and healthcare later in June.

The Ningbo summit attracted around 100 Chinese enterprises from sectors such as home appliances, IT, chemicals, and textiles, while nearly two dozen leading companies participated in each of the specialized roundtables.

Located in Zhejiang province, Ningbo is one of China¡¯s most dynamic economic centers, contributing over $275 billion to the national GDP. Known for its strong industrial base and entrepreneurial ecosystem, the city continues to play a pivotal role in fostering international trade and investment cooperation.