Qatari companies to join global value chain through CPEC

ISLAMABAD, April 1 (APP):Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce,Textile, Industries and Production and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood Monday encouraged Qatari companies to come forward and have Joint Ventures (JVs) with foreign and local companies to become part of global value chain.
He further said Qatari companies have immense potential to supplement the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and stimulate industrialization in the country, a press statement said.
The adviser to prime minister on commerce along with Board of Investment (BoI) Chairman Haroon Sharif welcomed a Qatari investment delegation led by head of Qatar Investment Authority, Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani, in Islamabad.
Adviser informed the delegation that with investment in the tourism sector, Qatar could enjoy a first mover’s advantage.
He also said as a result of renewed confidence in the new government, large investments were in the pipeline from other countries including China, Malaysia and Turkey.
The adviser said Pakistan desires to have a long term economic and strategic relationship between the two brotherly nations.
The prime minister himself led a delegation to Qatar and met with the Emir of Qatar in January, 2019, following the prime minister’s visit, BoI organized a successful Pakistan-Qatar Investment Forum in Doha, Qatar between the business communities of the both countries in collaboration with the government of Qatar” he added.
Razak Dawood said these high level visits have resulted in today’s meetings where both countries have reaffirmed their strong commitment to further reinforce their economic ties and discuss specific projects.
Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani said Qatar is planning various projects in Pakistan with an investment horizon in Pakistan for next 10-15 years.
“We are looking for a long term partnership and not quick wins” he added.
Specific projects were discussed in areas of aviation services, tourism, infrastructure development, power generation, water management, agro industries and tourism across the country, he said.
The delegation showed a keen interest in prime minister’s housing project.
There is also interest from the delegation in supplementing the CPEC investments.
The BoI chairman informed the delegation that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has developed a master plan for nature tourism with technical assistance from a Swiss firm.
These projects are available to developers and will be showcased in the meetings this day.
Qatar-Pakistan bilateral trade volume is set to witness a major boost in the coming days as Hamad Port has established direct shipping links to Karachi and other ports in Pakistan.
The bilateral economic relations are expected to expand further as private companies from both sides are exploring trade and investment opportunities aggressively.
After recent visit of a Pakistani mission to Doha, Qatari companies have signed a number of agreements with their Pakistani counterparts to import goods from Pakistan including fruits, vegetables, fresh meat, chicken other poultry and dairy products.