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15 investors keen

to attend JMC in China

ISLAMABAD: The Board of Investment on Wednesday said that it had received 15 applications from private investors interested in accompanying the delegation to attend Joint Ministerial Commission scheduled to be held in Bejing towards March end.

"According to applications, private companies have shown keen interest in initiating joint ventures with the Chinese firms mainly in agro-based industry, textile, light engineering and herbal medicines," an official of the BoI told Fortuna.

Federal Minister for Commerce and Industry, Abdul Razaq Daud would lead Pakistan's delegation.

BoI officials said the final date for the JMC meeting was yet to be decided between Economic Affairs Division and the government of China. "We believe that the EAD should finalise the exact date for the meeting within a week or so.

The official said BoI had requested Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to convey details of Joint Ministerial Commission to all the chambers.

"FPCCI has circulated relevant details of the meeting and the areas identified by the Board of Investment as likely growth sector."

The BoI official said that Pakistani businessmen would have an opportunity to explore possibilities of joint ventures with their Chinese counterparts in agro-based industry."

He said the delegation would comprise three to four government functionaries including the minister while the rest of the participants would be selected from private sector.

"Any company can contact the Board of Investment for expanding its business and initiating new ones in collaboration with their Chinese counterparts in the field identified by the BoI," the official said.ÑFortuna