Sunday, June 10, 2012

South Asian private sector seeks Chinese investment

The private sector of South Asian countries has urged China to build a separate development fund to invest in the region. Business leaders of the region participating in the 3rd Sichuan-South Asia Business seminar, today, requested China to lead the initiative.
Business leaders have demanded greater inflow of Chinese investment in South Asia in the seminar. Joint ventures between China and South Asian countries will be beneficial to the region, they said.
Patron-in-chief of Pakistan China Business Council Tariq Sayeed presented salient features of investment climate stating that all eight countries had pursued liberal investment policies. "South Asian countries are offering 100 percentage equity, tax holidays for at least five years, high margin of profits, sovereign guarantee, 0 per cent to 5 per cent duty on import of raw materials, and preferred treatment for investment in export processing zones," he said.
He asked Chinese entrepreneurs to derive maximum benefits by investing in the region. "Investment can be a powerful tool to maximise the economic bond between China and South Asia," he added.
President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Fazal Kadir Khan Sherani invited Chinese joint ventures in power sector projects, exploration of coal and other mineral resources, nuclear power stations, hydroelectric power, ship-building, high-tech machinery, infrastructure and construction through joint ventures.
President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Suraj Vaidya urged Chinese investors to invest in tourism, hydropower and infrastructure projects in Nepal. He also conducted a separate meeting with Chinese entrepreneurs regarding investment potentials.
While moderating the session, advisor to United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and secretary general of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation CCI Iqbal Tabish said there was a vast potential for economic cooperation available, which needed to be tapped through collaborative efforts at both the public and private sector in China and South Asia.
The seminar was inaugurated by vice governor of Sichuan Provincial Government in Chendgu city of China Qu Mu Shi Ha and addressed by deputy secretary general of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Yu Xiaodong. Business leaders and diplomats from South Asian countries — Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka — and China participated in the seminar.

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