William Wu, CEO attends China-Pakistan Business Forum 2022

When Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan paid an official visit to China starting November 1, 2022, the Pakistani Embassy in China hosted an online China-Pakistan Business Forum on November 2 to further promote bilateral economic and trade exchanges and practical cooperation. Around 300 business representatives from both countries attended the forum virtually. Mr. William Wu from TOKO Technology (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., as a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) member, participated in the forum, demonstrating the active role of Chinese SMEs in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need to build strong business-to-business partnerships between Pakistan and China to further expand bilateral ties and augment the dividends of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He emphasized that enhanced B2B cooperation would bring mutual prosperity and open new avenues for investment, especially in the post-pandemic era.

The Minister for Planning and Development remarked that the Pakistan-China Business and Investment Forum should pave the way for substantial Chinese investment to flow into Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of accelerating joint projects and creating a conducive environment for Chinese enterprises under the second phase of CPEC.

Minister for Board of Investment Salik Hussain stated that his department is leading the second phase of industrial cooperation under CPEC, which envisages the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the fostering of business-to-business cooperation. He invited Chinese companies, including SMEs like TOKO, to explore opportunities in Pakistan's SEZs, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, IT, and green technologies.

The forum also included discussions on agriculture, e-commerce, and industrial relocation, with both sides agreeing to strengthen business councils and streamline investment procedures.

Mr. William Wu's attendance as an SME representative underscores the commitment of Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises to fostering Pakistan-China economic cooperation. TOKO Group, with its expertise in welding and machinery, sees great potential in collaborating with Pakistani partners under CPEC's industrial cooperation. The forum concluded with over 200 online B2B meetings and several letters of intent between Chinese and Pakistani firms, marking a positive step toward deeper economic integration.