Pakistan is seeking a bigger role in regional manufacturing and international trade as cooperation with China enters a new phase. Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has urged Chinese investors to establish manufacturing facilities in Pakistan and use the country as a regional production and export hub under CPEC 2.0.
Iqbal made the appeal during a meeting with a Chinese business delegation from Xinjiang, led by Yuan Jianmin, Senior Advisor to the Xinjiang Government. He stressed that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would focus on industrial growth, export expansion, technology transfer and private-sector investment.
CPEC 2.0 Focuses on Industry and Export Growth
Iqbal called for stronger business-to-business links between Pakistan and China to translate their longstanding partnership into commercial opportunities. He also highlighted Xinjiang’s importance in bilateral relations, citing the shared border, people-to-people contacts and the Karakoram Highway as symbols of connectivity.
However, he stressed that both countries must remove trade barriers and strengthen business ties to make CPEC 2.0 more successful than its first phase.
Recalling the project’s progress, Iqbal said an agreement signed in July 2013 had attracted more than $25 billion in investment within five years. He added that Chinese investment in power generation had contributed around 8,000 megawatts of capacity.
According to the minister, these energy projects helped Pakistan address severe electricity shortages and supported its economic transformation.
Pakistan Targets $7 Billion in Additional Exports
The minister identified industrial cooperation, mining and minerals, information technology, advanced technologies and educational exchanges as priorities under CPEC 2.0. He also emphasised the need to mobilise Pakistan’s private sector and encourage investment in export-oriented industries.
Iqbal said an additional $7 billion in exports over the next three years could strengthen the economy, create jobs and reduce reliance on external financial assistance.
To achieve that goal, he urged Chinese companies to establish manufacturing operations in Pakistan and supply regional and international markets from there. He said deeper industrial cooperation could help the country expand its export base and move towards higher-value production.
Moreover, greater private-sector participation could create employment opportunities while strengthening commercial links between the two countries.
Xinjiang Delegation Highlights Cross-Border Trade Opportunities
Yuan Jianmin praised Iqbal’s longstanding role in advancing Pakistan-China economic cooperation, describing him as the torch bearer of CPEC. He recalled meeting the minister in May 2013 and acknowledged his trust, encouragement and continued support for bilateral cooperation.
Yuan also identified opportunities to increase cross-border trade through the Khunjerab Pass. He proposed establishing a China-Pakistan border trade market and expanding Pakistani exports to China.
Furthermore, he highlighted investment opportunities for Chinese businesses in manufacturing, new energy, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. He expressed confidence that CPEC 2.0 could deliver substantial results through cooperation between the two countries.
Pakistan and China Seek Stronger Commercial Partnerships
The meeting highlighted a shared interest in turning the longstanding Pakistan-China relationship into stronger business cooperation. Both sides emphasised the potential for increased trade, industrial investment and mutually beneficial commercial activity.
For Pakistan, the proposed expansion of manufacturing and exports represents a central objective of CPEC 2.0. Meanwhile, Chinese investment could support industrial development, technology transfer and access to wider markets, provided businesses convert the identified opportunities into concrete projects.
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