Pakistan Overseas Chinese Association inaugurates its activities in Lahore

LAHORE, Sep 20 (APP):The Pakistan Overseas Chinese Association (POCA) formally inaugurated its activities at a ceremony held at a local hotel here on Sunday, coinciding with celebrations marking the 77th Anniversary of the National Day of the People’s Republic of China and the 75th Anniversary of Pakistan-China Friendship.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lahore, while Punjab Senior Minister Bilal Yaseen was the chief guest. Senior government representatives, diplomats, Chinese community members, business leaders, industrialists, traders, professionals and other distinguished guests also participated.

Among the participants were former MNA and former Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Khawaja Sohail Mansoor, Patron-in-Chief Pakistan Tax Bar Association Rana Munir Hussain, President Lahore Tax Bar Association Rana Saqib Munir, CEO Punjab Board of Investment & Trade Zeeshan Shabbir Rana, former Vice President Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Adnan Butt and President Qaumi Tajir Ittehad Lahore Asim Irshad. Senior representatives of OPPO Mobile and leading Chinese and Pakistani businesspersons and professionals also attended.

POCA Chairperson Cheng Xiaonong, President Mu Weijun, Vice Presidents Ali Akhtar Sher, Shahbaz Siddique and Zhang Yansheng, and President Board of Directors Wu Dingquan also participated in the ceremony.

The speakers highlighted the historic Pakistan-China friendship and stressed the need to translate the longstanding relationship into greater economic cooperation, investment, industrial partnerships and people-to-people contacts.

They said the establishment of POCA would provide an organized platform for Chinese businesspeople, investors, entrepreneurs and professionals in Pakistan to address matters concerning the Chinese business community and facilitate coordination with government departments, institutions and business organizations.

The association also aims to strengthen business-to-business and government-to-government engagement by connecting Pakistani industrialists, manufacturers, traders and entrepreneurs with their Chinese counterparts and promoting investment, trade, technology transfer and industrial cooperation.

The speakers said POCA would also focus on education, healthcare, vocational and technical skills development, professional training, employment opportunities and community welfare to promote sustainable social and economic development.

Commemorative awards and shields were presented to distinguished guests and participants in recognition of their contributions and support for Pakistan-China friendship and cooperation.

POCA expressed its commitment to working with governments, diplomatic missions, chambers of commerce, trade bodies, industrial organizations and business communities of both countries to further strengthen bilateral economic relations and create practical opportunities for the people of Pakistan and China.