KARACHI: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Thursday discussed ways to expedite work on the Kingdom’s investment projects pledged under the $21 billion deals signed between the two countries in February this year.
A Saudi delegation headed by the Kingdom’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer met Prime Minister’s Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) Zubair Gilani to review progress on the implementation of investment projects.
“The visiting Saudi delegation held discussions to expedite projects in energy, petroleum and mining sectors,” a BoI official, who declined to be named, told Arab News.
During the meeting, the Saudi “delegation appreciated the progress on the investment front made during the previous year and described it as more the combined progress of the last ten years,” the official added.
Pakistan has also offered Saudi investors to explore investment opportunities in power sector which has already been identified for privatization.
Saudi Arabia is also interested in the mining sector, especially in the mineral resources of the country’s southwestern Balochistan province. “Mining in Balochistan is a provincial subject but the BoI has assured full support to Saudi investors. Where the potential exists, the BoI will support the implementation of projects,” the official informed.
Faced with energy shortage, Pakistan is taking steps to increase the share of renewable energy in its total energy mix which is dominated by fossil fuel at present. “During the meeting it was also decided to speed up the progress on the project for renewable power generation in Balochistan,” the official said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had signed seven investment agreements during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to Islamabad in February this year.
These consist of a mega oil refinery that will be constructed in Pakistan’s Balochistan province for $11 billion and will house a petrochemical complex project in Gwadar deep-sea port.
The proposed mega oil refinery and petrochemical complex to be set up by Saudi Arabia will help Pakistan with technology, skill enhancement and human capital development. It will also result in employment generation and development of downstream, allied sectors.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia review investment projects signed in February
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia review investment projects signed in February
- Saudi deputy minister of energy meets Pakistan’s commerce minister and BoI chief
- The two sides review progress on investment in energy, petroleum and mining sectors
Pakistan, China to sign multiple MoUs at major agriculture investment conference today
- Hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani firms to attend Islamabad event
- Conference seen as part of expanding CPEC ties into agriculture, trade
KARACHI: Islamabad and Beijing are set to sign multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to boost agricultural investment and cooperation at a major conference taking place in the capital today, Monday, with hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani companies expected to participate.
The conference is being billed by Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research as a platform for deepening bilateral agricultural ties and supporting broader economic engagement between the two countries.
“Multiple memorandums of understanding will be signed at the Pakistan–China Agricultural Conference,” the Ministry of National Food Security said in a statement. “115 Chinese and 165 Pakistani companies will participate.”
The conference reflects a growing emphasis on expanding Pakistan-China economic cooperation beyond the transport and energy foundations of the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into agriculture, industry and technology.
Under its first phase launched in 2015, CPEC, a core component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, focused primarily on transportation infrastructure, energy generation and connectivity projects linking western China to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan. That phase included motorways, power plants and the development of the Gwadar Port in the country's southwest, aimed at helping Pakistan address chronic power shortages and enhance transport connectivity.
In recent years, both governments have formally moved toward a “CPEC 2.0” phase aimed at diversifying the corridor’s impact into areas such as special economic zones, innovation, digital cooperation and agriculture. Second-phase discussions have highlighted Pakistan’s goal of modernizing its agricultural sector, attracting Chinese technology and investment, and boosting export potential, with high-level talks taking place between planning officials and investors in Beijing.
Agri-sector cooperation has also seen practical collaboration, with joint initiatives examining technology transfer, export protocols and value-chain development, including partnerships in livestock, mechanization and horticulture.
Organizers say the Islamabad conference will bring together government policymakers, private sector investors, industry associations and multinational agribusiness firms from both nations. Discussions will center on investment opportunities, technology adoption, export expansion and building linkages with global buyers within the framework of Pakistan-China economic cooperation.
