**Report: Hurish shah :
**ISLAMABAD:** President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia has called for enhanced Pakistan-China industrial cooperation through joint ventures, technology transfer and investment in manufacturing, describing industrialisation as essential for sustainable economic growth, exports and job creation.
He expressed these views while addressing a 13-member delegation of the Pakistan-China Business Forum (PCBF), led by Chief Patron Lieutenant General (Retd.) Abdul Qayyum and Co-Chairman Sheikh Ejaz Asghar.
Zikria Zia stressed the need for effective business matchmaking and sustained engagement to translate bilateral relations into practical economic outcomes. He proposed compiling a directory of Chinese companies and their products, establishing a product and technology display centre at ICCI, and setting up a dedicated facilitation desk for Chinese businesses in Islamabad.
Highlighting Islamabad’s investment potential, he advocated establishing a new industrial estate spanning 8,000 acres or more, with Chinese companies invited to participate. The proposed project could attract investment in manufacturing, electric vehicles and emerging industries, alongside opportunities in waste management, recycling and waste-to-energy projects.
The ICCI president also proposed organising a major Pakistan-China Expo in Islamabad in March 2027 to showcase products, promote investment and facilitate direct business-to-business partnerships ahead of upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) engagements.
Sheikh Ejaz Asghar, Co-Chairman of PCBF and Chairman of VOLTRIX Batteries, said the delegation was interested in investing in the proposed industrial estate and collaborating on a modern exhibition facility. He expressed readiness to pursue joint ventures with Pakistani businesses and highlighted opportunities in electric buses, electric vehicles, electrical equipment, manufacturing, distribution and technical training.
He said the group was seeking reliable Pakistani partners, sales networks and industrial facilities to establish long-term business operations.
Earlier, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Abdul Qayyum highlighted initiatives to strengthen economic cooperation between Pakistan and China. PCBF Beijing President Wei Linzhuo and Shengtang EV Bus Chairman Yuan Bangxiang also participated in the meeting.
Former ICCI presidents Mian Akram Farid and Mohammad Ejaz Abbasi emphasised the importance of expanding bilateral business ties through investment and private-sector collaboration.
ICCI Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Chatha, Vice President Mohammad Waqas Khan, executive members Iftikhar Anwar Sethi, Abbas Hashmi, Israr ul Haq, Syed Imran Bukhari, Malik Rashid Tufail, Abrar ul Haq, Bilal Sohail Siddiqui, Mohammad Arif and Sadaf Asim Abbasi, along with other business community members, also attended.
