ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan and China have a shared future, with their all-weather relationship based upon shared principles and interests.
Talking to Chairman Board of Directors Bank of China Tian Guoli at PM House in Islamabad, the Prime Minister mentioned China’s great support to Pakistan in sectors of security, trade and infrastructure development.
The Prime Minister said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the largest comprehensive project with any foreign country.
He mentioned that CPEC was a fusion of multiple development projects, aimed at the prosperity and well-being of citizens of the country and the region at large.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan had a vibrant banking system that had achieved high-level of profitability, improved liquidity and strong solvency position.
He said the banking sector grew at an impressive annual average growth rate over the last five years.
Nawaz Sharif said sound capital base, remarkable growth in assets and profitability and compliance with international standards poised Pakistan’s banking sector in a very competitive position in the region for investors.
Besides Foreign Direct Investment, the interest of international investors in the banking sector was also evident from the portfolio investment in the banking sector that has been observed in the recent divestment transactions of United Bank Limited (UBL), Allied Bank Limited (ABL) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL), the Prime Minister said.
He said foreign ownership in Pakistan’s banking sector had consistently and considerably increased, government of Pakistan had recently concluded $700 million financing agreement with China Development Bank which was the first such interaction with the Chinese banking industry.
Tian Guoli lauded the vision of the Prime Minister for putting the country on development path and turning around the economy.
He appreciated the vibrant banking sector of Pakistan, adding that Pakistan’s financial sector offer immense opportunities to global investors.
Guoli said CPEC had huge economic benefits for the people of Pakistan and the region.
