A high-powered Chinese business delegation, comprising representatives from 12 leading companies, expressed strong interest in establishing a $1 billion medical city within the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Thatta, Sindh.
The delegation was accompanied by Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Investment and Public-Private Partnership.
During their visit, on December 10, the delegation explored investment opportunities in diverse sectors, including pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, fertilizers, food and beverages, solar and wind energy, livestock, agriculture, and cargo. “The Chinese delegation expressed deep interest in establishing a medical city worth one billion dollars in the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone,” stated Sindh’s Investment Department.
Proposals for Renewable Energy and Fertilizer Factories
The visiting delegates also proposed the establishment of factories to produce solar plates, inverters, and batteries, reflecting a strong focus on renewable energy. Another significant proposal involved setting up a fertilizer factory using coal instead of gas, in collaboration with local stakeholders.
The development was reported after Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari met the delegation led by the Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong at Bilawal House in Karachi, where he called for greater Chinese investment in Pakistan’s various sectors to strengthen bilateral trade.
Strategic Significance of Dhabeji SEZ
Addressing the visitors, Qamar highlighted the Dhabeji SEZ as a priority project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “This project is a prominent symbol of the lasting and proud friendship between China and Pakistan,” he remarked, emphasizing the zone’s potential for fostering industrial development, technology transfer, and job creation.
Qamar pointed out the zone’s strategic location, which offers seamless connectivity to ports, roads, and railways, making it an attractive destination for investors. He added that the SEZ provides allocated land for industrial, commercial, and residential facilities, presenting compelling opportunities for both local and foreign stakeholders.
The visit was attended by key officials, including Secretary Investment Sindh Raja Khurram Shahzad, CEO of Sindh Economic Zone Management Company Abdul Azim Aqili, CEO of Global Ventures Idrees Jiji, and senior representatives from the Sindh Investment Department.
The delegation’s expressed interest underscores the growing potential of the Dhabeji SEZ as a hub for international investment and collaboration, reinforcing Sindh’s role as a critical driver of economic development in Pakistan.