Pakistan’s liberal trade policies provide opportunities to Hong Kong’s investors: PM

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Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (R) meets Pakistan Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif at the Government House in Hong Kong, China May 17, 2017. Government Information Services/Handout via REUTERS FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. HONG KONG OUT.
  • PM Nawaz meets Hong Kong chief executive, chief executive-elect
  • Says Hong Kong is one of his favourite places, adding there is a great scope for trade, economic relations between Pakistan, Hong Kong
  • Holds meetings with chairmen of ZTE Corporation, Shandong High-Speed Group, Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited

 

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday met the Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-Ying and discussed bilateral ties and ways to further enhance the cooperation in multiple spheres.

The prime minister arrived here Tuesday on a three-day visit from Hangzhou.

He was accompanied by Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to China Masood Khalid, Board of Investment Chairman Miftah Ismail and others. The chief executive was accompanied by Hong Kong Finance Secretary Paul Chan Mo Po, Commissioner for Belt and Road Yvonne Choi Ying Pik and Secretary Treasury. On his arrival at the Government House, the prime minister was received by the chief executive.

Both the leaders warmly shook hands and the prime minister also penned his comments in the guest’s book.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Hong Kong.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Sharif said that Pakistan and Hong Kong enjoyed brotherly relations. He said Hong Kong was one of his favourite places, adding that Pakistan had strong relations with Hong Kong, and there was a great scope for trade and economic relations between the two countries. He stressed that the cooperation between the two countries in different sectors must be enhanced.

Prime Minister Sharif said that several companies of Hong Kong had their permanent offices in Pakistan which testified their trust in the country. He said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would enable traders to transport their goods to the world through Gwadar Port.

The prime minister said that the Pakistan’s liberal trade policies provided ample opportunities to the investors of Hong Kong. He also encouraged the businessmen from Hong Kong to take an active part in CPEC, which was to the mutual benefit of the two nations.

In his remarks, the Hong Kong chief executive welcomed the prime minister to Hong Kong, saying that Pakistan and Hong Kong had strong relations based on the history.

The chief executive said that the two countries were cooperating with each other in multiple spheres.

He also called for enhancing the economic cooperation between Pakistan and Hong Kong.

PM MEETS HONG KONG’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE-ELECT:

Earlier, PM Nawaz also met with Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region Chief Executive-elect Carrie Lam and discussed the potential of Pakistan and Hong Kong to tap their potential to the maximum. The prime minister congratulated Lam on her overwhelming victory in the elections of the chief executive of Hong Kong, felicitating her on becoming the first female head of the government.

He appreciated the contributions of Lam for maintaining the position of Hong Kong as a global leader in financial services and trade.

He mentioned that Hong Kong’s 35,000 Pakistani origin residents were making a valuable contribution in all spheres of economic activities.

The premier apprised the chief executive-elect on his participation in the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing and his meetings with the Chinese leadership.

He highlighted the achievements of Pakistan’s economy and progress on CPEC.

The two sides discussed matters related to bilateral investment and education sector, including increasing number of scholarships for students in Hong Kong universities.

On 26 March 2017, Lam was elected Chief Executive with 777 votes in the 1,194-member Election Committee, 197 more votes than she got in the nomination period. She will be the first female leader of Hong Kong and the first candidate to elect without leading in the polls.

HONG KONG’S TOP CORPORATE HEADS CALL ON PM:

Meanwhile, the heads of Hong Kong’s top companies called on the prime minister and showed interest in investment in Pakistan.

The prime minister’s separate meetings with ZTE Corporation Chairman Yin Yimin, Shandong High-Speed Group Chairman Sun Liang, and Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited Chairman Wang Dong focused on developing business linkages in the public-private sector of Pakistan and Hong Kong.

The prime minister apprised the company heads about Pakistan’s investment-friendly policies that offered incentives for foreign businessmen.

The corporate heads thanked the PM for an opportunity of meeting them and said they would work on exploring the potential of trade and business with Pakistan.

The ZTE Corporation is a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions providing services in 140 countries.

The Shandong High-Speed Group is a state-owned comprehensive enterprise group dedicated to the development of transport industry.

The Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited is an integrated public utilities company with core business covering city gas, water treatment and solid waste management.