Sindh Invites Chinese Investors to Explore $5.2 Billion Investment Portfolio at Shanghai Conference
By Qurban Ali Khushik
SHANGHAI, : Sindh Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Investment Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar has invited Chinese investors to explore investment opportunities in Sindh, highlighting the province’s economic potential, strategic location and extensive portfolio of development projects.
Addressing the Sindh Investment and Trade Conference in Shanghai, Qamar said Sindh was a major contributor to Pakistan’s economy, accounting for 32 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), with an estimated provincial economy worth approximately $150 billion.
He highlighted Sindh’s industrial output, tax revenues, more than 350 kilometres of coastline, two major ports and over 10 industrial zones as key advantages for investors seeking to expand production and exports.
Qamar said the Sindh government had extensive experience in partnering with international financial institutions and Chinese companies, citing collaboration with Shanghai Electric, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) and Chinese financial institutions. He also referred to major investment projects in Thar coal, water supply and technology.
He said Sindh had an investment project portfolio worth approximately $5.2 billion, covering energy, roads, water, industrial zones, education, healthcare and food security.
Keti Bandar and Thar Offer Major Investment Potential Presenting key projects to Chinese investors, Qamar proposed transforming Keti Bandar into an integrated hub for industry, energy, logistics and maritime trade. The proposed development includes a modern port, shipbuilding facilities, oil terminals and industrial zones.
He invited Chinese companies to participate through joint ventures, construction projects and public-private partnerships.
The provincial government is also proposing a Sindh International Financial Centre to attract global investment and develop Islamic finance, climate finance and financial technology.
Highlighting opportunities in Thar, Qamar said investors could explore projects to produce fertiliser, methanol and other industrial products from coal. He cited estimated coal reserves of approximately 175 billion tonnes in the Thar coalfield, describing them as a major resource for industrial development.
He also outlined a proposed investment of around $1 billion in renewable energy and digital infrastructure, including data centres, cloud computing and artificial intelligence facilities powered by green energy.
Industrial Zones and Water Infrastructure Qamar said the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone offered Chinese manufacturers opportunities to establish production facilities at competitive costs. Potential industries include automobiles, engineering, chemicals, steel, pharmaceuticals, textiles and electronics.
He also invited investment in the NED Technology Park, marble and granite processing, aquaculture and industrial clusters.
On water infrastructure, he highlighted the proposed TP-IV project in Karachi, which aims to treat wastewater for reuse, including industrial applications. The proposed capacity includes treating 180 million gallons of water daily and supplying 44 million gallons of treated water for industrial use.
Transport and Tourism Projects The special assistant identified investment opportunities worth approximately $3 billion in Karachi’s transport infrastructure, including the Karachi Circular Railway, mass transit systems, electric buses and road links connecting ports.
He said the proposed Karachi Circular Railway corridor would extend 43 kilometres, with an estimated project cost of $2 billion.
Sindh also offers investment opportunities worth approximately $600 million in tourism, he added.
Agriculture and Food Processing Qamar highlighted Sindh’s agricultural potential, citing the production of rice, sugarcane, cotton, dates, mangoes, citrus fruits and livestock.
He invited Chinese investors to collaborate in agricultural machinery, modern storage facilities, rice processing, horticulture and food exports. Opportunities also exist in dairy and meat processing, aquaculture and agricultural supply chains.
Sindh Government Offers Facilitation to Investors Qamar assured investors that the Sindh government would provide one-window facilitation, incentives and support for project implementation.
He said the provincial government was committed to building a serious, long-term partnership with China and encouraged Chinese investors to contact the Sindh government for further discussions on the proposed investment projects.