Vivo Phones to Roll Out of Punjab, Minister Tells Xinjiang Investors

Key Points:

A 15-member Xinjiang investors’ delegation meets the industries minister in Lahore.
Vivo is to start chip frame and mobile phone manufacturing in Punjab, the minister says.
Cooperation agreed in agriculture, seed development, textiles, industry, irrigation and IT.
Focal persons are to be appointed to keep the cooperation effective.

LAHORE: A 15-member delegation of investors from China’s Xinjiang province met the provincial minister for industries and commerce on Wednesday to explore investment in Punjab’s agriculture, textile and technology sectors.

According to the official handout, the delegation was led by Ha Zengyou, a standing committee member and deputy commander of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The meeting was held at the Civil Secretariat.

Secretary Industries Muhammad Umar Masood briefed the visitors on the investment opportunities in the province’s Special Economic Zones, the handout said. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation across agriculture, seed development, textiles, industry, irrigation, information technology and e-business.

Focal persons are to be appointed to make the liaison effective, the handout added.

The minister told the delegation China’s Vivo company was going to start manufacturing chip frames and mobile phones in Punjab, a first in Pakistan’s history. He said implementation had begun on several agreements reached during his eight visits to China.

Huawei Group already works with Punjab on modern agriculture and seed development, he said. He invited Chinese companies to set up plants in Punjab making super seeders, harvesters and other farm machinery.

The chief minister has approved an agro-based zone in the province, the minister said. He called agriculture the backbone of the provincial economy and said practical steps had been taken to promote modern farming under her leadership.

I believe in practical steps instead of MoUs. Results come from follow-up.

“I believe in practical steps instead of MoUs,” the minister said. “Results come from follow-up.” He said China’s development was a role model and Pakistan wanted to benefit from Chinese technology.

Chinese companies’ two-wheeler electric vehicle units are already producing in Punjab and lithium battery companies are also coming to invest, he said. A garment city has been built at the Quaid-e-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura, where a pharmaceutical valley is being developed.

The minister also pointed to the Chief Minister’s Asaan Karobar Finance scheme, which gives interest-free loans to small and medium industries. A large easy-loan programme for bigger industries was also being started, he said.

He invited Chinese investors to look at the biotechnology sector and at cooperation in building the agro-based zone’s infrastructure. He also praised the efforts of the Chinese consulate in Lahore.

The head of the delegation said Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province, was an agriculture hub. Cooperation in agriculture, textiles and other sectors would be expanded, he said.

Cooperation in technology transfer would also continue, Ha Zengyou said. More Chinese companies would be briefed on the favourable environment and the investment opportunities in Punjab.

According to the handout, Special Secretary Industries Nausheen Malik, DG Punjab Board of Investment Dr Sohail Ahmad, other officials, senior XPCC officials and Chinese embassy officials were also present.

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