Dr. Syed Mehboob
Senior Economic and Political Analyst
http//: www.thenewslark.com
China believes in investment, development, sharing resources, global connectivity, promoting peace, and tolerance, and enhancing trade. At the same time, some other countries invest in wars, conflicts, and violence, creating and fueling differences, and taking advantage of this.
China is a friend in need, and a friend indeed. Pakistan-China friendship is already greater than the Himalayas, deeper than the Pacific Ocean, and sweeter than honey.
Pakistan desperately needs investment from friendly countries. It is very good news for Pakistanis, especially for the people of Sindh that Chinese investors are willing to invest US$ one billion in the mega project of “ Medical City”
A Chinese business delegation met with President AsifAli Zardari and expressed a willingness to spend US$ 1 billion in establishing a medical city in Pakistan. This is a highly welcome move from our Chinese brothers and reflects our strong, deep-rooted, historical ties. Our enemies made every effort to sabotage these ties but by the Grace of Allah, they have not succeeded because this friendship is in the minds and hearts of people. Both Chinese and Pakistanis sacrificed a lot for this friendship. No conspiracy can create rifts because both countries, their leadership, and people are committed not to let anybody any force to sabotage this unique friendship.
The Chinese delegation of investors during a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari outlines their plans to invest US$ billion into creating the medical city in Karachi’s Special Economic Zone at Dhabeji. Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) which is tasked with running of the Dhabeji said that it would be Pakistan’s first fully integrated pharmaceutical and medical ecosystem. The pledge by the Chinese investors is an example of the growing strong economic ties between the two countries. The meeting which was also attended by the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, and the Chinese Consul General was held after successful negotiations between the Sindh government and the conglomerate of Chinese investors. President Asif Ali Zardari highlighted the importance of fostering deeper economic and trade cooperation between Pakistan and China. The Chinese delegation also showed interest not only in the health sector but also in several other key areas, including agriculture, livestock, energy, transport, manufacturing, etc. President Zardari assured that the government of Pakistan is fully committed to facilitating and providing cooperation to Chinese investments in Pakistan. The Sindh Chief Minister also told the investors that the government had introduced Chinese language courses in the province to remove language barriers and enhance cultural ties between the two countries. This project will create 50,000 jobs.
Meng Xiao Wei, President of the China-Pakistan Research and Innovation Enterprises Alliance, stated that the project will include manufacturing facilities for medical equipment, a world-class medical college, training programs, and other healthcare-related businesses. The Pakistan-China Medical Association will also support the project.
The project is transformational for Pakistan’s healthcare system in general and particularly for Karachi. The proposed medical city will be developed by 35 Chinese business groups listed on the Chinese Stock Exchange, aiming to bring Pakistan’s healthcare system to par with international standards. The landmark initiative underscores the strengthening economic ties between Pakistan and China, paving the way for significant socio-economic development in Pakistan.
The Government of Sindh has allocated theDhabeji Special EconomicZone (DSEZ) Project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which willfacilitate the potential investors of China and other countries to either start new enterprises or transfer their facilities to Pakistan. The location has the following advantages:
- Easy access to Port Qasim enabling raw material import and finished goods export without incurringmajor inland transportation costs and saving time.
Easy access to Karachi Airport (35 Km) via national highway enabling safe travel of foreign workersand management personnel.
3. Direct access to the National Highway enabling the transportation of goods to upcountry and CentralAsian nations utilizing the National Trade Corridor..
Pakistan-China friendship is unbreakable, historical, and deep-rooted and this friendship is centuries old when the areas included in Pakistan had trade relations with China through the Silk Road and the current friendship Insha Allah will continue another several other centuries.
